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.



Navarro Calls for Video Review Rule Change After Double Bounce in Defeat 

USA's Emma Navarro hits a return against Poland's Iga Swiatek during their women's singles quarter-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2025. (AFP)
USA's Emma Navarro hits a return against Poland's Iga Swiatek during their women's singles quarter-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2025. (AFP)
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Navarro Calls for Video Review Rule Change After Double Bounce in Defeat 

USA's Emma Navarro hits a return against Poland's Iga Swiatek during their women's singles quarter-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2025. (AFP)
USA's Emma Navarro hits a return against Poland's Iga Swiatek during their women's singles quarter-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2025. (AFP)

Emma Navarro's split-second decision not to halt play after a double bounce in her Australian Open quarter-final loss to Iga Swiatek on Wednesday cost her a vital point and the American called for changes to the rules on the use of video reviews.

Navarro lost the match 6-1 6-2, with her fightback fading following a controversial moment at 2-2 in the second set, when Swiatek ran to the net and returned a low shot after the ball had bounced twice.

The incident was missed by the chair umpire and while the 23-year-old Navarro sought a video review immediately after losing the point she was informed by the official that it was too late as she had continued the rally.

"I think it (a video review) should be allowed after the point even if you play. It happened so fast. You hit the shot, and she hits it back, and you're just like 'Oh, I guess I'm playing'," Navarro told reporters.

"In the back of your head you're like, 'Okay, maybe I can still win the point even though it wasn't called'. It's going to be a downer if I stop the point and it turns out it wasn't a double bounce. Yeah, it's tough.

"I think we should be able to see it afterwards and make that call."

Swiatek, a five-times Grand Slam champion who is chasing her first Australian Open title, said it was the official's job to call double bounces.

"I wasn't sure if it was a double bounce or I hit it with my frame," Swiatek added.

"It was hard to say, because I was sprinting. I don't remember even seeing the contact point. Sometimes you don't really look when you hit the ball.

"I thought this is like the umpire's job to call it. I was also waiting for the (video review), but I didn't see it, so I proceeded. I was already focused on the next one."

It was not the first time Swiatek had benefited from a no-call on a double bounce at a Grand Slam with a similar incident occurring during her quarter-final win over Jessica Pegula in her triumphant 2022 French Open run.

Navarro shrugged off Wednesday's incident, saying it was not the only factor in her defeat.

"It is what it is, I guess," she added.

"It's tough to place blame on anybody. It's a tough call. I think the rules should be different."