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Novak Djokovic's Italian Challenge
The Tide Turns at Indian Wells
Video Courtesy of Tennis Media Network
In a surprising turn of events at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, Novak Djokovic, a name synonymous with tennis greatness, encountered an unexpected setback. The Serbian titan, known for his unparalleled resilience and skill, was bested by Luca Nardi, a rising Italian star ranked No. 123 in the world. Nardi's 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory not only marked a significant milestone in his career but also added a new layer to Djokovic's historical performances against Italian players.
Djokovic's record against Italian opponents has been stellar, boasting a 50-8 win-loss tally. Yet, a closer examination reveals a recent shift in this dominance. Since the onset of 2023, Djokovic has found himself on the losing end against Italian players more frequently, with five of his eight losses against them occurring in this short span. This period includes three defeats to Jannik Sinner, a loss to Lorenzo Musetti at Monte Carlo last year, and the most recent upset by Nardi. Before 2023, Djokovic's record stood at an imposing 48-3 against Italians, showcasing his dominance over Italy's finest.
The inception of Djokovic's journey in professional tennis was marked by early victories, reflecting his potential and the dominance that was to unfold. His initial encounters with Italian players were characterized by triumphs, demonstrating his rapid ascent in the world of tennis. Notable victories over renowned Italian players like Fabio Fognini, Andreas Seppi, and Matteo Berrettini solidified his stature as a formidable adversary on the court. Djokovic's performances at grand stages, including Grand Slams and Masters 1000 tournaments, against Italian competition, highlighted his strategic prowess and physical endurance.
However, the recent trend signifies a remarkable narrative shift. Jannik Sinner, in particular, has emerged as a significant challenge for Djokovic, handing him three defeats since the beginning of 2023, including a crucial victory at the Australian Open. Additionally, Lorenzo Musetti's win over Djokovic at Monte Carlo last year underscored the evolving landscape of tennis, where younger talents are increasingly making their mark against established legends.
The match against Luca Nardi at Indian Wells serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport. Nardi, despite his lower ranking, displayed exceptional skill and determination to overcome Djokovic. This match not only signifies a personal triumph for Nardi but also reflects the growing competitiveness of Italian players on the global stage.
The table below shows all of Novak Djokovic's matches versus Italians.
2006-02-20
Rotterdam
R32
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
6-2 2-6 7-5
2006-07-24
Umag
R16
Novak Djokovic
Stefano Ianni
6-3 6-4
2006-10-02
Metz
R16
Novak Djokovic
Daniele Bracciali
6-0 6-3
2007-03-19
Miami Masters
R64
Novak Djokovic
Daniele Bracciali
7-6(4) 6-4
2007-06-25
Wimbledon
R128
Novak Djokovic
Potito Starace
6-0 6-3 6-4
2007-10-07
Vienna
SF
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
6-4 6-3
2008-01-14
Australian Open
R64
Novak Djokovic
Simone Bolelli
6-1 6-2 6-2
2008-03-13
Indian Wells Masters
R64
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
6-3 7-6(3)
2008-07-28
Cincinnati Masters
R32
Novak Djokovic
Simone Bolelli
7-6(2) 7-6(2)
2008-07-28
Cincinnati Masters
R16
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
6-1 6-2
2009-01-19
Australian Open
R128
Novak Djokovic
Andrea Stoppini
6-2 6-3 7-5
2009-02-23
Dubai
R32
Novak Djokovic
Flavio Cipolla
6-3 6-2
2009-05-04
Belgrade
SF
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
4-6 6-1 6-2
2009-05-10
Madrid Masters
R16
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
6-4 6-4
2009-06-08
Halle
R32
Novak Djokovic
Simone Bolelli
7-5 6-2
2009-10-11
Shanghai Masters
R32
Novak Djokovic
Fabio Fognini
6-3 6-1
2010-05-03
Belgrade
R16
Novak Djokovic
Fabio Fognini
6-4 6-4
2010-06-07
Queen's Club
R32
Novak Djokovic
Paolo Lorenzi
6-3 6-3
2011-05-22
Roland Garros
QF
Novak Djokovic
Fabio Fognini
W/O
2012-01-16
Australian Open
R128
Novak Djokovic
Paolo Lorenzi
6-2 6-0 6-0
2012-04-15
Monte Carlo Masters
R32
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
6-1 6-4
2012-05-27
Roland Garros
R128
Novak Djokovic
Potito Starace
7-6(3) 6-3 6-1
2012-05-27
Roland Garros
R16
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
4-6 6-7(5) 6-3 7-5 6-3
2012-07-25
London Olympics
R64
Novak Djokovic
Fabio Fognini
6-7(7) 6-2 6-2
2012-08-12
Cincinnati Masters
R32
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
7-6(4) 6-2
2012-08-27
US Open
R128
Novak Djokovic
Paolo Lorenzi
6-1 6-0 6-1
2013-02-25
Dubai
QF
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
6-0 6-3
2013-03-07
Indian Wells Masters
R64
Novak Djokovic
Fabio Fognini
6-0 5-7 6-2
2013-04-14
Monte Carlo Masters
SF
Novak Djokovic
Fabio Fognini
6-2 6-1
2013-10-07
Shanghai Masters
R16
Novak Djokovic
Fabio Fognini
6-3 6-3
2014-01-13
Australian Open
R16
Novak Djokovic
Fabio Fognini
6-3 6-0 6-2
2015-08-31
US Open
R32
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
6-3 7-5 7-5
2015-10-05
Beijing
R32
Novak Djokovic
Simone Bolelli
6-1 6-1
2016-01-18
Australian Open
R32
Novak Djokovic
Andreas Seppi
6-1 7-5 7-6(6)
2016-10-10
Shanghai Masters
R32
Novak Djokovic
Fabio Fognini
6-3 6-3
2018-05-28
Roland Garros
QF
Marco Cecchinato
Novak Djokovic
6-3 7-6(4) 1-6 7-6(11)
2018-10-08
Shanghai Masters
R16
Novak Djokovic
Marco Cecchinato
6-4 6-0
2019-05-27
Roland Garros
R32
Novak Djokovic
Salvatore Caruso
6-3 6-3 6-2
2019-11-11
Tour Finals
RR
Novak Djokovic
Matteo Berrettini
6-2 6-1
2020-09-14
Rome Masters
R32
Novak Djokovic
Salvatore Caruso
6-3 6-2
2020-10-26
Vienna
QF
Lorenzo Sonego
Novak Djokovic
6-2 6-1
2021-04-12
Monte Carlo Masters
R32
Novak Djokovic
Jannik Sinner
6-4 6-2
2021-05-10
Rome Masters
SF
Novak Djokovic
Lorenzo Sonego
6-3 6-7(5) 6-2
2021-05-31
Roland Garros
R16
Novak Djokovic
Lorenzo Musetti
6-7(7) 6-7(2) 6-1 6-0 4-0 RET
2021-05-31
Roland Garros
QF
Novak Djokovic
Matteo Berrettini
6-3 6-2 6-7(5) 7-5
2021-06-28
Wimbledon
F
Novak Djokovic
Matteo Berrettini
6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 6-3
2021-08-30
Us Open
QF
Novak Djokovic
Matteo Berrettini
5-7 6-2 6-2 6-3
2022-02-21
Dubai
R32
Novak Djokovic
Lorenzo Musetti
6-3 6-3
2022-06-27
Wimbledon
QF
Novak Djokovic
Jannik Sinner
5-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2
2022-10-31
Paris Masters
QF
Novak Djokovic
Lorenzo Musetti
6-0 6-3
2023-04-10
Monte Carlo Masters
R16
Lorenzo Musetti
Novak Djokovic
4-6 7-5 6-4
2023-07-03
Wimbledon
SF
Novak Djokovic
Jannik Sinner
6-3 6-4 7-6(4)
2023-11-13
Tour Finals
F
Novak Djokovic
Jannik Sinner
6-3 6-3
2023-11-13
Tour Finals
RR
Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic
7-5 6-7(5) 7-6(2)
2023-11-25
Davis Cup Finals SF: ITA vs SRB
RR
Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic
6-2 2-6 7-5
2024-01-25
Australian Open
SF
Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic
1-6 2-6 7(8)-6(6) 3-6
2024-03-11
Indian Wells
R32
Luca Nardi
Novak Djokovic
4-6 6-3 3-6
