Novak Djokovic and Luca Nardi. (Credits- Sarah Stier/ Getty Images, X)

Novak Djokovic ended his comeback at Indian Wells quite unexpectedly this year. He suffered defeat at the hands of Luca Nardi in the third round. Djokovic was not his usual self during the match against Nardi. He even got into a heated argument with the chair umpire during a point in the match. Djokovic confronted the umpire about the confusion.

In the third game of the second set, Djokovic was serving to Nardi. The youngster returned the rather casually and even paused for a second while hitting the ball. Djokovic hit a drop shot and then did not continue the point while Nardi ran towards the ball and cleared the drop shot towards the other side of the net. The Serbian then started talking to the chair umpire, Greg Allensworth.

“He hit the ball and he stopped. He stopped,” Djokovic informed the chair umpire.

 The chair umpire said, “He reacted to the call, he didn’t make the call, he didn’t actually stop the point. Just because he stops doesn’t mean the point stops.”

“Just because he stops doesn’t mean the point stops?” said Djokovic as he got furious. “What’re you talking about?, You see that reaction, he stopped. He literally stopped and that’s it and he confused me completely and I stopped as well. How can you not make that judgement? Are you kidding me or what?”

“Are you wanting me to call a hindrance?” asked Allensworth.

“Of course because he stopped. The guy stopped and he played a ball like this and he stopped,” he replied.

Allensworth then went on to explain by saying, “Just because he stands there and doesn’t continue to play doesn’t mean, that’s not grounds for a hindrance.”

 “What is your point?” asked Djokovic as he was losing his patience.

“My point is that’s not grounds for him to lose the point,” he said. “If he would’ve come up saying ‘out’ or pointing out or something along those lines then yes, I would agree with you 100 percent. But since he didn’t do anything to actually stop the point.” Allensworth’s response disappointed the world No.1 as he walked back to his seat.

Although the confrontation did not go as Djokovic expected, he went on to win the set against Nardi. It was not clear why Djokovic had stopped play even though he had played Nardi’s return on serve.

The Italian did pause for a second but got back in position as soon as Djokovic moved forward toward the net. Nardi was shocked by the reaction but did not indulge in the conversation and instead took his seat for the break.

Novak Djokovic picks up title drought record after Indian Wells loss

Djokovic was expected to break multiple records this season at Indian Wells. He has yet to reach a final in three events he has played in. The 36-year-old is only two titles away from winning 100 career titles. It now seems that it will take a few more months for Djokovic to reach the milestone. He has, however, picked up an unwanted record of a title drought.

The 24-time grand slam champion has not won a title in the first two months of the tour for the fourth time since 2006. Djokovic won his first title in 2006 at Amersfoort and has been winning titles each year since then. But in 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2024, he remained without a title in the first two months of the tour. The 2018 season remains the only year since 2006 where Djokovic did not win a title till July.

Djokovic will be hoping to end his title drought soon this season. He will be playing at the Miami Masters 1000 next, which is scheduled to start on March 20. Djokovic always manages to return to his best whenever there is a setback. He is expected to do the same this time as soon as possible.