Luciano Darderi Suffers Indian Wells Defeat After Bizarre Hindrance Call on Match Point

Rinky Hijikata clinched his first win over Luciano Darderi after two consecutive defeats.

Luciano Darderi Suffers Indian Wells Defeat After Bizarre Hindrance Call on Match Point

Luciano Darderi lost the match due to a hindrance call (Image via X/Marco Beltrami, Barstool Tennis)

In Short
  • Luciano Darderi lost to Rinky Hijikata at Indian Wells after a hindrance call on match point.
  • The umpire ruled Darderi hindered Hijikata by gesturing to the crowd during a crucial point.
  • Hijikata advanced to the third round, marking his first appearance in this stage of a Masters 1000 tournament.

Luciano Darderi‘s campaign at Indian Wells ended following a bizarre hindrance call on match point. The 20th seed was up against qualifier Rinky Hijikata in the opening round on Saturday (March 7).

Darderi lost the match with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 scoreline. When the Italian was down 5-4, 40-0 in the third set, he sent a lob into the air and lifted his arm to point toward the crowd because someone had shouted, “Oh my God“. The ball was in the air when Darderi gestured toward the crowd, and the umpire stopped the point.

Hijikata did not return the shot. Darderi walked toward him and told him that he had said, “Oh my God.” But the Australian denied, saying, “I didn’t say anything, mate.“

Because the players are not allowed to stop at points because of disturbances from the crowd, the umpire, after the video review, said Darderi hindered Hijikata, and hence, the point was given to the 25-year-old. Because the hindrance call was made on match point, Hijikata clinched the win to book a spot in the third round of a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time.

Watch the video of the incident here:

Hijikata will next be locking horns with Alexander Bublik, who survived a scare in his opening-round match against Vit Kopriva. They will be clashing with each other for the first time.

Luciano Darderi on what impressed him the most about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

Luciano Darderi has met both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner once and lost those matches. He clashed with the seven-time Grand Slam champion in the third round of the 2025 US Open. It was Darderi whom Sinner knocked out in the fourth round of this year’s Australian Open.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (2)
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Jannik Sinner HQ)

Darderi recently sat for an interview with CLAY Tenis during which he was asked about his first head-to-head clash with his compatriot. He ended up explaining why Sinner, as well as Alcaraz, are a cut above everyone else.

Yeah, it was tough. Sinner and Alcaraz are a little above everyone else… a little, quite a lot! Right now, those two are the untouchables. Sinner lost to Mensik- the only match in two or three years to someone not named Alcaraz or Djokovic. That shows you the level they have. In that match, I was very nervous at the start, then I relaxed and played very well. In the third set, I had a chance to take it to a decider. I had five break points, I was up 2-0 in the tiebreak…you realize they do give you small chances, but if you waste them, you lose.

Sinner has reached the fourth round of the ongoing event following an easy win over Denis Shapovalov. Alcaraz is scheduled to play Arthur Rinderknech in the third round on Monday (March 9).

I would have liked to play one or two more sets, or to have won, but it was very difficult. They’re always one level above, always striking the ball high, playing at a very high speed. It motivates me, at least, to get closer to that level, to try to compete on equal terms to do the best I can. They push you to raise your level and, as a result, your ranking improves.

Luciano Darderi added

In the fourth round, the four-time Major champion will be up against Joao Fonseca in what will be their career’s first head-to-head meeting. Sinner, a two-time semifinalist at Indian Wells, has yet to win a title this year. Alcaraz added the Australian Open and the Qatar Open to his trophy cabinet this season by defeating Novak Djokovic and Arthur Fils, respectively.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Makes Feelings Clear on Controversial Time Violation Warnings