Novak Djokovic on early collision course with Nick Kyrgios at Indian Wells, Emma Raducanu also handed tough draw
Published 04/03/2025 at 08:50 GMT
Novak Djokovic and Emma Raducanu have both been given tricky draws at Indian Wells. Djokovic faces the prospect of a second-round meeting with Nick Kyrgios and could meet Carlos Alcaraz as early as the quarter-finals of the ATP 1000 event in California. As for Raducanu, should she beat world No. 52 Moyuka Uchijima in the first round, she will take on third-seed Coco Gauff in the second round.
Novak Djokovic og Nick Kyrgios.
Image credit: Getty Images
Novak Djokovic could meet Nick Kyrgios in his opening match at Indian Wells after being handed a tough draw at the ATP 1000 event in California.
The Serbian has received a bye into the second round but will face either Kyrgios or a qualifier as he begins his bid for a sixth title.
After withdrawing during his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev, Djokovic returned at the Qatar Open in Doha but crashed out in the first round against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.
Kyrgios is one of few players who holds a winning head-to-head record over the 24-time Grand Slam champion, having beaten Djokovic in two of their three meetings.
However, the last time the pair met in the 2022 Wimbledon final it was Djokovic who sealed the victory.
The Australian spent more than two years on the sidelines through injury but returned to the tour at the start of 2025 and even teamed up with Djokovic to play doubles at the Brisbane International.
After losing in the first round of the Australian Open, he hinted that it could have been the last time he was able to compete in his home Grand Slam after struggling with his wrist, but he is back to compete at Indian Wells, where he beat Djokovic in the last-16 stage in 2017.
Whoever prevails should Djokovic and Kyrgios meet faces a tricky route into the latter stages of the tournament.
- 'I felt that I had let my country down' - Alcaraz opens up on Olympic tears after Djokovic loss
- Djokovic reacts as Tsitsipas ends unwanted record with Dubai triumph
Francisco Cerundolo is the likely opponent in round three, with ninth-seed Alex de Minaur a potential last-16 opponent.
And should it go with the seedings, Carlos Alcaraz will be waiting for a blockbuster quarter-final.
In the women’s draw, Emma Raducanu must also navigate a difficult draw if she is to go deep.
The Brit takes on world No. 52 Moyuka Uchijima in the opening round ahead of a potential showdown with third-seed Coco Gauff.
It will be the first time Raducanu is in action since her ordeal in Dubai. The 22-year-old was in tears during her second-round defeat against Karolina Muchove after being targeted by a man displaying "fixated behaviour".
The man was given a restraining order and Raducanu will be eager to put that behind her as she looks to begin the Sunshine Double in style.
Watch and stream the 2025 tennis season on discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement