<p>World No. 1 <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/nadal-djokovic-is-the-best-player-in-history-23335386" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><strong>Novak Djokovic</strong></a> said his excitement level is high as he returns to the ATP Indian Wells Masters for the first time in five years.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Serb will resume his quest for a record-setting sixth trophy at the desert classic, which he last won in 2016 and last played in 2019. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to come back. I&rsquo;m ready to get into competition,&rdquo; the 24-time Grand Slam champion said on Thursday before his second-round Indian Wells Masters opener against Australian Aleksandar Vukic.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read: </strong><strong><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/british-teen-bearman-replaces-sick-sainz-23339017" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">British teen Bearman replaces sick Sainz</a></strong></p>
<p>Djokovic took a six-week pause since losing in the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/australian-open-dont-write-off-novak-djokovic-just-yet-jannik-sinner-australian-open-2024-final-23332239" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"><strong>Australian Open</strong></a> semi-finals to eventual champion Jannik Sinner, and made sure to arrive in California well over a week before the start of play here.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been training well and I arrived in LA quite early. I want to focus on the Slams and the other big events. I&rsquo;m not playing full seasons [any more] and will be more selective. I&rsquo;ll listen to my body and create a schedule around the big events,&rdquo; added Djokovic, who won the Indian Wells title in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016.</p>
<h2>Nagal bows out</h2>
<p>Meanwhile, India&rsquo;s Sumit Nagal was handed a straight-set defeat by Canada&rsquo;s Milos Raonic in the opening round.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Nagal had made it to the main draw as a &lsquo;lucky loser&rsquo; after Rafael Nadal pulled out. World No. 101 Nagal lost 3-6, 3-6 in an hour and 28 minutes.</p>
<h2>Venus loses, Osaka wins</h2>
<p>In the women&rsquo;s category, seven-time Grand Slam-winner Venus Williams, 43, lost 6-2, 3-6, 0-6 loss to qualifier Nao Hibino, while young mum, Naomi Osaka beat Italian qualifier Sara Errani 6-3, 6-1 to progress.</p>
<p><em><strong>(With agency inputs)</strong></em></p><p>
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Indian Wells Masters: The Serb will resume his quest for a record-setting sixth trophy at the desert classic, which he last won in 2016 and last played in 2019

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The Serb will resume his quest for a record-setting sixth trophy at the desert classic, which he last won in 2016 and last played in 2019

'Need to listen to my body, focus on Slams': Djokovic

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