AFP, United States :
World number one Novak Djokovic said his excitement level is high as he returns to the ATP Indian Wells Masters for the first time in five years.
The Serb will resume his quest for a record-setting sixth trophy at the ATP-WTA California desert classic, which he last won in 2016 and last played in 2019.
“I’m very excited to come back,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said on Thursday prior to his upcoming second-round opener against Australian Aleksandar Vukic.
“Time flies incredibly fast – let’s see if I can have a good tournament.”
After taking a six-week pause since he lost an Australian Open semi-final against eventual champion Jannik Sinner, the 36-year-old Djokovic made sure to arrive in California well over a week before the start of play here.
In addition to practicing at the courts at the University of California at Los Angeles he was spotted taking in an NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets-who are led by Serbian star Nikola Jokic.
