Novak Djokovic crashed out of the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters on Monday, losing in three sets to Italian Luca Nardi.
Nardi, ranked 123rd in the world, defeated Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on his comeback to Indian Wells, where he was eliminated in the third round.
Nardi became only the sixth player outside the Top 100 to upset a world number one in the Masters since 1990.
Djokovic has lost five of his last seven matches against the Italians, including three against fourth-ranked Jannik Sinner.
Nardi, for his part, was almost taken aback by his opponent’s stunning defeat.
The 20-year-old fell to Belgium’s David Goffin in the final qualifying round and was only able to continue in the event because one of the main draw players withdrew.
“Before this night, no one knew me,” Nardi said in an on-court interview after his win. “I hope the crowd enjoyed the game; I’m super happy with this one.
“I don’t know. I think it really is a miracle. I’m a guy ranked outside the top 100 in the world, and now I’m beating Novakk—crazy, crazy.”
