Djokovic: 'I know I can always produce better tennis'

Back on court and winning again, Novak Djokovic is aiming to use his opening-round victory at the BNP Paribas Open against Aleksandar Vukic as a building block for further improvement.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings was competing for the first time since January, when he lost to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals at the Australian Open. He was not at his free-flowing best against Vukic, but found a way to advance in three sets.

“I know I can always produce better tennis,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. “Obviously very self-critical and I think [to] some extent it's also important because then it puts you in the right mindset of wanting to work more and being engaged in the process of improving on a daily basis or trying to perfect your game and right the wrongs that you've done in a previous match or previous practise session.

“So that's what I'm going to keep doing and hopefully building my game as this tournament is played over 10 to 14 days. It allows you to have the practise days also between matches, which allows you to work on certain specifics in the game. I think as the tournament progresses, I believe my game will get better as well, I will feel more confident about myself and my chances to go far in the tournament. I have to take it step by step.”

Djokovic, a five-time champion in Indian Wells, was competing at the ATP Masters 1000 for the first time since 2019. The 36-year-old admitted he felt nerves in the early stages of the match against Vukic, but was pleased to have been tested.

“It was very important. Obviously at one point I was a bit worried because I lost a set and then in the beginning of [the] third it was kind of going toe to toe,” said Djokovic, who won 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. “But I thought the chances will come. Stay in the match and try to raise the level of tennis.

“I have to give him credit because he stepped it up. He served well, ripping forehands towards the end of the second, beginning of the third, and was just deservedly still in the match. Could I have done some things better? Yeah, of course I could. But hopefully [there is a] bit less rust that I'm feeling for the next match and the continuation of this tournament.”

Djokovic is chasing a record-extending 41st ATP Masters 1000 title in California, with his victory against Australian Vukic his 400th at this level. The Serbian is aiming to clinch a record sixth Indian Wells crown and will next meet Italian lucky loser Luca Nardi.