Djokovic reveals ambitions, speaks candidly about Vietnamese-origin tennis talent who has defeated many top 10 stars

Novak Djokovic will return to competition at the Indian Wells Masters this week, aiming to build on what he describes as a very positive start to the 2026 season.

The Serbian player is competing in the California desert tournament after his last appearance was the Australian Open final earlier this year, where he had a memorable run. On his way to the championship match, Djokovic defeated the two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set semifinal, before ultimately losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

Currently ranked world No. 3, Djokovic continues to maintain a more streamlined tournament schedule compared to his peak years, while focusing intensely on the biggest stages in world tennis.

In recent seasons, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has proactively structured his schedule around the Grand Slams, while also selecting other events that genuinely inspire him both professionally and personally.

Indian Wells is one such tournament. Although Djokovic's results at this Masters 1000 event over the past decade have not been as dominant, he still considers it one of the most appealing stops on the ATP Tour. According to Djokovic, the tournament's long history, unique atmosphere, and the conditions in California give Indian Wells a very distinct feel for players.

During a pre-tournament press conference, Djokovic shared that this is a place most players look forward to returning to. Indian Wells is part of the "Sunshine Double," along with Miami, and he has enjoyed considerable success here in his career.

Djokovic said: "Indian Wells is one of the two tournaments in the Sunshine Double. I've had quite a lot of success here, and it has always been one of my favorite tournaments. The weather, the facilities, the location near Los Angeles, and the tournament's history truly make it worthy of its name. This is indeed a tennis paradise."

Reaching the Australian Open final earlier this year is also seen as confirmation that Djokovic still has the ability to compete evenly with the younger generation currently dominating men's tennis. After a 2025 season where he repeatedly lost to Sinner or Alcaraz at the Grand Slams, the Serbian player believes his campaign in Melbourne reinforced his belief that he can still perform at the highest level.

Djokovic specifically recalled his five-set victory over Sinner in the semifinals, which he called "one of the most monumental matches" he has played in recent years. Even though Alcaraz proved superior in the final, Djokovic still views his Melbourne journey as a positive sign.

He stated: "It was an incredible feeling to defeat Sinner after five sets in one of the most memorable matches I've ever played in Australia. I then went on to have another fantastic match with Carlos, but he was simply too good in the final."

According to Djokovic, that result provided additional motivation for him to continue playing. In recent years, questions about his potential retirement have become more frequent, but the Serbian player asserts that his hunger for more titles remains.

He said: "My reason is very simple: why stop when I still have the passion, inspiration, professional quality, and motivation to continue? My schedule primarily revolves around the Grand Slams, but I will also choose other tournaments that inspire me."

At 38 years old, Djokovic acknowledges that maintaining optimal physical condition is no longer a constant state as before, but has become a daily management process. He mentioned that his pre-season preparation this year provided a very solid fitness foundation, perhaps even one of his best preparation phases in the last three or four years. However, the tennis season spans many months, so minor physical issues can always arise and need careful management.

Nevertheless, Djokovic said he is feeling quite good heading into Indian Wells. "The fitness foundation I built during the pre-season was very strong, perhaps the best in the last three or four years. But the season is long, and you have to adapt along the way. There are always things to manage," he said.

In the latter stage of his career, recovery, health maintenance, and extending his playing longevity have become central to Djokovic's approach. He also referenced this when discussing the recovery support products he recently launched as part of a collaboration with a health-tech company. According to Djokovic, this philosophy is what enables him to continue competing at the highest level of professional tennis.

Beyond his own story, Djokovic also touched upon the emerging young talents on the ATP Tour. One name he mentioned is American player Learner Tien, who faced him at last year's US Open.

Djokovic assessed Tien as a very talented player and emphasized that having former Roland Garros champion Michael Chang on his coaching team could be a significant advantage for the young American's career development.

Besides Tien, Djokovic also mentioned two other young prospects, Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik, players he believes will represent the next competitive generation in men's tennis. According to Djokovic, Fonseca currently receives a lot of media attention, but other young players also deserve recognition for their impressive results recently.

Finally, Djokovic believes the development of these young talents will depend on how they handle pressure and expectations in the professional tennis environment. He concluded: "He has all the tools to become a very good player. But it will depend on him, and time will tell."