(VIDEO) Novak Djokovic vomits mid-match during tough Indian Wells opener

The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic endured a physically demanding start to his campaign at the BNP Paribas Open, facing Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.

The match quickly turned into a challenging encounter for the 38-year-old Serbian, who dropped the opening set while his opponent produced an impressive level early on. Majchrzak surged ahead with a double break advantage in the first set, forcing Djokovic to chase the scoreboard before eventually closing the set 6-4.

Djokovic responded emphatically in the second set, raising his level to dominate 6-1 and force a deciding set. However, the demanding conditions in Indian Wells — with intense heat affecting players throughout the afternoon session — began to take their toll as the match progressed.

Early in the third set, the exchanges between the two players grew increasingly physical. A particularly gruelling rally lasting more than 40 shots appeared to push Djokovic to his physical limits.

At 1-1 in the deciding set, Djokovic walked toward the back of the court at the end of the game and discreetly vomited before returning to continue the match. The moment, captured on video, quickly circulated among fans watching the match.

Despite the incident, the brief moment did not appear to significantly affect Djokovic’s performance. The Serbian quickly regained composure and returned to the court looking physically stable. Just minutes later, Djokovic managed to secure an important break of serve in the deciding set, regaining control of the match after the brief scare.

The episode highlighted the demanding nature of the contest and the difficult conditions players often face during long matches in the California desert. Even for one of the most physically resilient players in tennis history, the early stages of the tournament proved to be a significant test.