Indian Wells 2024: Infuriated Novak Djokovic Blasts Chair Umpire Over Bizarre Hindrance Call – ‘Are You Kidding Me?’

Novak Djokovic got into a heated debate with the chair umpire during his shocking loss to Italian Luca Nardi in round 3 of the Indian Wells Masters. The controversy erupted during the second set from a bizarre incident that allowed Nardi to claim a point while the Serb confronted the umpire over not receiving a hindrance call.

As Djokovic served during the second set, Nardi believed the ball was out and made a weak return over the net and seemingly stopped. Djokovic then ran up to the net to return with another drop shot on Nardi’s forehand, who rushed and returned it to win the point. However, before he returned the shot, Djokovic had stopped in his tracks, looking confused. Furious with the decision, the 24-time grand slam champion walked up to the umpire in a huff.

He said, “He stopped,” and the chair umpire replied, “Just because he stopped doesn’t mean the point stops.” Djokovic rebuffed, “What are you talking about? He literally stopped and that’s it. He confused me completely. I stopped as well.” The Serbinator continued the verbal fight by arguing, “How can you not make that judgement? Are you kidding me or what?” The World No.1 thought his opponent was guilty of hindrance after appearing to give up on the point, before continuing.

Nardi had clinched the first set 6-4, but Djokovic rallied to take a 2-0 lead in the second set before the bizarre incident that led to his argument with the chair umpire. The Serb would still prevail to take the set 6-3 but in a stunning turn of events, Nardi, World no.123 beat him 6-3 in the third set to make history.

The Italian had only featured in the men’s draw as a ‘lucky loser,’ but showed immense determination to get past the  24-time grand slam winner.

‘Lucky Loser’ makes history against  his idol Novak Djokovic

The 20-year-old Luca Nardi grew up idolizing Djokovic and now he has secured a memorable win over him. This defeat is the first time ‘Djoker’ has lost to a ‘lucky loser’ in his 24-year career. Nardi also became the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic at ATP Masters 1000 or grand slam level.

Moreover, the rookie Italian became just the third player in history ranked outside the top 100 in the ATP rankings to defeat Djokovic while No.1 in the world. Before him, only Jiri Vesely in 2022 and Juan Martin del Potro in 2016 had achieved this feat. This is all the more surprising given how Nardi made it to the main draw.

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Nardi was knocked out in the qualifying but after an injury to World No.30 Tomas Martin Etcheverry, he Nardi reached the men’s draw before receiving a bye through the opening round.

Nardi’s win also means Djokovic has now suffered his last two defeats to Italians, having lost to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals. For now, Djokovic and his verbal altercation may take some attention away from Nardi, who will now face Tommy Paul in the last 16, hoping to continue his dream run.

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