Djokovic Thrilled to Return to Indian Wells After Five Year Hiatus 

Tennis player Novak Djokovic and former NBA player Vlade Divac celebrate a goal by Dejan Joveljic #9 of the Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half against Inter Miami at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 25, 2024 in Carson, California. (Getty Images North America/AFP)
Tennis player Novak Djokovic and former NBA player Vlade Divac celebrate a goal by Dejan Joveljic #9 of the Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half against Inter Miami at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 25, 2024 in Carson, California. (Getty Images North America/AFP)
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Djokovic Thrilled to Return to Indian Wells After Five Year Hiatus 

Tennis player Novak Djokovic and former NBA player Vlade Divac celebrate a goal by Dejan Joveljic #9 of the Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half against Inter Miami at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 25, 2024 in Carson, California. (Getty Images North America/AFP)
Tennis player Novak Djokovic and former NBA player Vlade Divac celebrate a goal by Dejan Joveljic #9 of the Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half against Inter Miami at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 25, 2024 in Carson, California. (Getty Images North America/AFP)

Novak Djokovic on Tuesday said he was excited to be back in Indian Wells to compete at the BNP Paribas Open for the first time since 2019 after US travel restrictions related to COVID-19 had kept him away.

The world number one is seeking an unprecedented sixth title at the Masters 1000 event that begins next week and is regarded as the biggest tennis tournament outside of the four Grand Slams.

"It has been five years, way too long to not be part of the Tennis Paradise tournament, one of the best tournaments in the world without a doubt," Djokovic said in a video from the small, picturesque city in the Southern California desert.

"It's probably the favorite Masters tournament of so many players including myself. I can't wait to come and perform once again in front of some of the best tennis fans that we have on the tour."

The Serb won the first of his 24 Grand Slams at the Australian Open in 2008 and backed that up a few months later by capturing his first Indian Wells crown.

"The first time I won the title in Indian Wells, it was one of the greatest titles of my career at that point. I remember I played Mardy Fish in the finals," he said.

"I was fortunate to win the tournament another four times and played some epic matches in the finals against (Roger) Federer and (Rafa) Nadal and many of the great players in that era. I'm really looking forward to coming back."

Three-times Indian Wells champion Nadal is set to compete at the tournament after missing last month's Australian Open due to a muscle tear.

The 2020 BNP Paribas Open was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak and Djokovic missed the next three editions as the United States did not allow unvaccinated foreigners to enter the country.

Djokovic was spotted in Los Angeles on Sunday night watching fellow sporting great Lionel Messi and his Major League Soccer side Inter Miami take on LA Galaxy.

Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina are the defending champions at this year's BNP Paribas Open, which runs from March 3-17.



Saudi Football Player Al-Muwallad Hospitalized after Fall from Balcony in Dubai

Fahad Al-Muwallad. (Al-Shabab)
Fahad Al-Muwallad. (Al-Shabab)
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Saudi Football Player Al-Muwallad Hospitalized after Fall from Balcony in Dubai

Fahad Al-Muwallad. (Al-Shabab)
Fahad Al-Muwallad. (Al-Shabab)

Saudi Arabia football player Fahad Al-Muwallad is in intensive care after falling from a second-floor balcony while vacationing in Dubai.

Dubai Police General Command said late Saturday that Al-Muwallad was “involved in an accident while on a short vacation in Dubai, when he fell from the balcony of his second-floor home.”

The winger, who just turned 30 and currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab, played at the 2018 World Cup with Saudi Arabia.

Police said the “initial investigations showed that the accident occurred while he was on the balcony” with the investigation ongoing.

Police said Al-Muwallad is “in intensive care in one of Dubai’s hospitals, where the efforts of the medical teams continue to provide him with the necessary care.”