‘Giant killer’ Botic van de Zandschulp picks toughest match after victories over Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic

Botic van de Zandschulp clinched back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025 after a three-set win over Novak Djokovic in Indian Wells Open.

‘Giant killer’ Botic van de Zandschulp picks toughest match after victories over Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Botic van de Zandschulp, Rafael Nadal (Image via ATP/X)

Novak Djokovic succumbed to a three-set defeat in his opening round of Indian Wells on Saturday (March 8). It was again Botic van de Zandschulp who did the damage.

With his 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win, Van de Zandschulp has registered his career’s eighth top 10 victory. He has built a reputation for being a giant killer, having defeated three top players in a short span of time.

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The Dutchman was the reason behind Rafael Nadal‘s defeat in last year’s Davis Cup Finals, which was also the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s final match of his career. Prior to the Davis Cup, Van de Zandschulp had knocked out World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the US Open. Following his win over the Serb, the 29-year-old was asked which of the three matches was the toughest for him.

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Yeah, I think they’re all different. I think like playing Rafa last match was mentally quite a tough match, to play it in Spain as well. So, yeah, that’s never easy. But, yeah, I think Carlos was maybe the toughest one. Yeah, because beforehand, you didn’t really know you had the possibility to beat guys who are, yeah, running the game these days.

Botic van de Zandschulp said at the press conference

The lucky loser, after booking a spot in the Indian Wells main draw, received a walkover from an injured Nick Kyrgios in the first round. He has now set up a third-round clash with 25th seed Francisco Cerundolo.

Tennis death awaits Novak Djokovic, claims Dmitry Tursunov

Former World No.20 Dmitry Tursunov is convinced that Novak Djokovic would soon call time on his career. Djokovic, who will turn 38 this May, has been dealing with injury woes which have hampered his performance in Grand Slam events. Tursunov too thinks that at this stage of his career, his performance will depend on his fitness.

Novak Djokovic (9)
Novak Djokovic (Image via Screengrab/X)

His own body is now his biggest opponent. No matter how he plans to beat the weather, ‘tennis death’ will await him. Of course, he still has the motivation to play at the highest level, but in tennis, you lose your sense of immortality much faster than in other sports. Previous achievements are quickly forgotten.

Dmitry Tursunov said per Sportklub

Djokovic has now lost three matches on the trot for the second time since 2008 and the first since 2018. Before his campaign in the California desert, the 24-time Grand Slam champion retired mid-match in the Australian Open semifinals. Following Melbourne, he was knocked out of the Qatar Open opener by Matteo Berrettini.

Djokovic could participate in the Miami Open next. Although his name is on the entry list for the season’s second ATP 1000 Masters event, he has expressed uncertainty over his participation.