Former world No. 20 Dmitry Tursunov shared his thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s readiness for the Indian Wells tournament.
According to Tursunov, Novak Djokovic’s primary opponent at this stage is his own body. He believes that while Djokovic tries to defy age, the inevitable physical decline is a constant threat. Tursunov acknowledges Djokovic’s motivation to compete beyond Grand Slam events to maintain his match fitness and relevance. However, he points out that in men’s tennis, the feeling of invincibility fades quickly, and past achievements are soon forgotten.
Tursunov suggests that Alejandro Davidovich Fokina could potentially cause an upset in their predicted third-round match. He notes Davidovich Fokina’s previous strong performance against Djokovic in Monte Carlo in 2022 and his impressive start to the current season. Tursunov assesses Djokovic’s current form as somewhat shaky and believes his chances against Carlos Alcaraz, should they meet, are slim.
Dmitry Tursunov, who previously coached Aryna Sabalenka, also commented on Alexander Zverev’s prospects at Indian Wells.
He describes the conditions at Indian Wells as unique, favoring versatile players like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Tursunov points out that the frequent wind can disrupt serves, making it challenging to play without a reliable serve. He also raises concerns about Zverev’s condition after his recent food poisoning in Acapulco. Tursunov suggests that Tallon Griekspoor in the first round could be a significant hurdle for Zverev, as the Dutchman is capable of competing with top players, including Zverev. Even if Zverev overcomes Griekspoor, Tursunov believes that Tomáš Macháč could potentially defeat him before the later stages of the tournament, ultimately concluding that Zverev is unlikely to meet expectations at this tournament.
