{"id":1808154,"date":"2026-03-05T08:00:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T05:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1808154"},"modified":"2026-03-05T08:00:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T05:00:47","slug":"goat-novak-djokovic-backed-to-capture-indian-wells-title-by-former-rival-it-can-be-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1808154","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;GOAT&#8217; Novak Djokovic backed to capture Indian Wells title by former rival: &#8216;It can be done&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">\u2018GOAT\u2019 Novak Djokovic backed to capture Indian Wells title by former rival: \u2018It can be done\u2019<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/oli-dickson-jefford\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Oli Dickson Jefford                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"05 Mar 2026 8:00 AM\" data-ps-date=\"05 Mar 2026 8:00 AM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1772697647\"><br \/>\n                            05 Mar 2026 8:00 AM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/novak-djokovic-backed-to-capture-indian-wells-title-by-former-rival\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to facebook\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fnovak-djokovic-backed-to-capture-indian-wells-title-by-former-rival\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to twitter\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fnovak-djokovic-backed-to-capture-indian-wells-title-by-former-rival\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to linkedin\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/\/send\/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fnovak-djokovic-backed-to-capture-indian-wells-title-by-former-rival\" aria-label=\"Share to whatsapp\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fnovak-djokovic-backed-to-capture-indian-wells-title-by-former-rival\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a class=\"!text-share-icon hover:!text-share-icon-active flex items-center justify-center\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" aria-label=\"Follow Tennis365 on Google Search\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"\u2018GOAT\u2019 Novak Djokovic backed to capture Indian Wells title by former rival: \u2018It can be done\u2019\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Novak-Djokovic-John-Isner-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured: Novak Djokovic and John Isner.\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Novak Djokovic and former world No 8 John Isner.                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\">\n<p>Novak Djokovic has been backed to lift the Indian Wells title by former rival John Isner, who has predicted the Serbian to be in a relaxed mood at Tennis Paradise.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/atp-tour\/indian-wells-draw-carlos-alcaraz-novak-djokovic-jannik-sinner\">World No 3 Djokovic is the third seed in the men\u2019s singles draw this year<\/a>, and after an opening-round bye, will face either Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Kamil Majchrzak to start his campaign in the second round.<\/p>\n<p>It will be the 38-year-old\u2019s first tournament since the Australian Open one month ago, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/australian-open\/novak-djokovic-lost-for-words-rolling-back-years-end-jannik-sinners-title-defence\">where the Serbian memorably stunned defending champion Jannik Sinner in a five-set semi-final<\/a>, before falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the final.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/when-will-novak-djokovic-play-next-after-withdrawing-from-qatar-open\">Djokovic pulled out of competing at the ATP 500 Qatar Open last month due to fatigue<\/a>, though he appears physically and mentally ready for his upcoming Indian Wells campaign.<\/p>\n<p>The 24-time Grand Slam champion has so far been cutting a relaxed figure in Indian Wells and was spotted in good spirits at an LA Lakers game this past weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Tennis Paradise has not been the happiest hunting ground for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/novak-djokovic\">Djokovic<\/a> in recent years, with the Serbian having failed to reach the quarter-final in his last five appearances at the Masters 1000 event.<\/p>\n<p>However, the Serbian has won the tournament on five separate occasions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/facts-stats\/novak-djokovic-iga-swiatek-would-make-history-2026-indian-wells-victories\">and could win a record-breaking sixth title this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking on <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nothingmajorshow.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Nothing Major<\/em><\/a>, former world No 8 and 2012 Indian Wells runner-up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/john-isner\">Isner<\/a> revealed why he was backing Djokovic for victory.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am going with the GOAT,\u201d said Isner.<\/p>\n<h2>Tennis News<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/coco-gauff-coach-stuck-middle-east-speaks-conflict-unnecessary\">Coco Gauff left worried as her coach is \u2018stuck\u2019 in Middle East amid \u2018unnecessary\u2019 conflict\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/atp-tour\/felix-auger-aliassiame-recalls-lucky-escape-from-dubai\">Felix Auger-Aliassiame recalls \u2018lucky\u2019 escape from Dubai<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cGive me Novak to take the title. He is there, he has been practising at UCLA. He was at the Lakers game, not a worry in the world.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe is not worried about this event. Give me Novak, two out of three, it can be done. There\u2019s a lot of days off in this tournament. It\u2019s not going to be physically taxing for him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Isner further revealed that he was backing WTA world No 5 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/jessica-pegula\">Jessica Pegula<\/a> to capture the women\u2019s singles title at the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cThen give me Jess. I don\u2019t think the surface is great for her, she prefers lower-bouncing, faster surfaces, but she has a lot of confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Djokovic will hope to avoid any early stumbling blocks in Indian Wells, having fallen on the wrong side of two shock results across his past two appearances at the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>The Serbian returned to the event for the first time in five years in 2024, though was stunned in the third round by lucky loser Luca Nardi.<\/p>\n<p>After an opening-round bye, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/atp-tour\/novak-djokovic-crashes-out-indian-wells-retirement-future\">Djokovic was then beaten in the second round of the tournament by Botic van de Zandschulp in 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Potential opponents <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/giovanni-mpetshi-perricard\">Mpetshi Perricard<\/a> and Majchrzak are set to play their round-one encounter on Thursday, meaning Djokovic will likely start his men\u2019s singles campaign on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>World No 1 Alcaraz and No 2 Sinner are the top two seeds at the Masters 1000 event, with Djokovic projected to meet Alcaraz in the semi-final.<\/p>\n<h2>Novak Djokovic\u2019s projected Indian Wells pathway<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Round 1<\/strong>: <em>Bye<\/em><br \/>\n<strong>Round 2<\/strong>: Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Kamil Majchrzak<br \/>\n<strong>Round 3<\/strong>: (31) Corentin Moutet<br \/>\n<strong>Round 4<\/strong>: (14) Jack Draper<br \/>\n<strong>Quarter-final<\/strong>: (7) Taylor Fritz<br \/>\n<strong>Semi-final<\/strong>: (1) Carlos Alcaraz<br \/>\n<strong>Final<\/strong>: (2) Jannik Sinner<\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Next<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/atp-indian-wells-predictions-carlos-alcaraz-vs-jannik-sinner-novak-djokovic-stars-on-return-to-action\">ATP Indian Wells Predictions: Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic stars on return to action<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-WVAVve\" data-nosnippet=\"\" data-quiz-type=\"poll|mpu\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2018GOAT\u2019 Novak Djokovic backed to capture Indian Wells title by former rival: \u2018It can be done\u2019 Oli Dickson Jefford 05 Mar 2026 8:00 AM Novak Djokovic and former world No 8 John Isner. Novak Djokovic has been backed to lift the Indian Wells title by former rival John Isner, who has predicted the Serbian to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-1808154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1808154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1808154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1808154\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1808154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1808154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1808154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}