Djokovic, Rublev, Zverev: The big stars who said goodbye early at Indian Wells 2025
ATP
After three days of competition in this new edition of Indian Wells, if there is something that has become clear is that it is the tournament where some giants have been falling. Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud were eliminated in their debut at the Californian tournament. Will we have more surprises?
The Indian Wells 2025 tournament has claimed a lot of big-name victims in its early rounds. Between injuries, surprising performances from their opponents and playing well below their level, Djokovic, Zverev and company were a huge disappointment at the Fifth Slam.
Nick Kyrgios
The controversial Nick arrived at Indian Wells after withdrawing in his debut at the Australian Open. In California he would run into Lucky Loser Botic Van de Zandschulp in the first round, a name that will come up again later on. The former Wimbledon finalist suffered a wrist injury and had to withdraw from the match at 6-7 and 0-3.
Alexander Zverev
The world number 2 had a poor tour of Latin America, showing a level far from the one that took him to the final in Melbourne. Indian Wells looked like an excellent opportunity to get back to winning ways and take points off the number 1. None of that would end up happening, as on Friday afternoon Tallon Griekspoor played his best tennis and eliminated the German in one of those great matches that sometimes happen in the first round by 4-6, 7-6(5) and 7-6(4).
Casper Ruud
The Norwegian, number 6 of the ATP, would be the first top ten player to fall on Saturday. Ruud has been showing irregularities in his game for some time now. After withdrawing from the Mexican Open due to intoxication, the former number 2 was surprised by the local Marcos Giron, who defeated him 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2.
Andrey Rublev
Russian Andrey Rublev, world No. 8, was defeated by Matteo Arnaldi (No. 35) with virtually no resistance. Rublev, Dubai Tournament champion, came to Indian Wells with renewed confidence, but he was very uncomfortable on the court, making many mistakes. The final result was 6-4 and 7-5 in favor of the Italian.
Read also
Novak Djokovic
The tournament's top champion, Novak Djokovic, returned to the competition after retiring in the semifinal of the Australian Open against Zverev. The Serb, currently ranked No. 7, would meet the aforementioned Botic Van de Zandschulp (No. 85). The Dutchman, who gives an image of total abstraction during the match, took advantage of a Djokovic who played well below his level. Van de Zandschulp in turn was a wall, returning everything the former No. 1 threw at him. The Dutchman would take the victory 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, marking the second time in a row that Nole has had to leave Indian Wells on debut.
Match Statistics Djokovic vs. Van de Zandschulp
| Djokovic | VS | Van de Zandschulp |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 0 | Aces | 4 |
| 3 | Double Faults | 4 |
| 67% (49/73) | 1st Service Percentage | 71% (58/82) |
| 63% (31/49) | 1st Service Points Won | 60% (35/58) |
| 29% (7/24) | 2nd Service Points Won | 71% (17/24) |
| 38% (3/8) | Break Points Saved | 50% (2/4) |
| 58% (7/12) | Service Games | 83% (10/12) |
| Return | ||
| 40% (23/58) | 1st Return Points Won | 37% (18/49) |
| 29% (7/24) | 2nd Return Points Won | 71% (17/24) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 2h 02m | Match Duration | 2h 02m |
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Oh for the love of all that us good Rublev...GO GET SOME THERAPY!!!Rapunzel08-03-2025
- Until Kygrios repents of his despicable behaviour towards Sinner on social media, he will continue to rack up injuries and he will NOT win another match.Rapunzel06-03-2025
- Now Raducanu is relegated to "training sessions" with event promoters?
mandoist02-03-2025 - What a poor video from WTA Ventures.MrAndreeva28-02-2025
- There's been no medical statement. Just players who ate at the same place. There's more to diarrhea attacks than just food when you're in Mexico.mandoist27-02-2025
- Send this guy back to Shakira. Ah no. Too late. She dumped him.MrAndreeva27-02-2025
- Dealing with mental issues and various instabilities is up to the person and those surrounding them to deal with; not the public. BTW: Such fragile personalities should never be anywhere near anti-Social Media... and apparently plastic chairs.mandoist25-02-2025
- FWIW: Ending a public farewell with a line like, "Wishing you nothing but success and happiness in your future endeavors," is a corporate Tool used by those whom had/have alternative reasons they do not wish to reveal.mandoist24-02-2025
- Lena does not need a special coach. She is not the same person she once was. Look at your photos -- when is the last time you saw that smile and sparkle in her eyes? When is the last time you saw her family in attendance? I believe it was once this season; sister Ana accompanied her to Australia. Perhaps Lena needs time away from tennis; time with professional help? If nothing else, her family should hold an intervention to snap her out of the hold Vukov has on her. It's sad to watch her lose matches she should be winning. Sadder still to see her vacuous facial expressions.mandoist24-02-2025
- Thank you, Boris!! Finally someone speaking common sense!! I am so sick of the stupid, ignorant comments by the players who have not READ THE FACTS!!!Rapunzel18-02-2025
