Novak Djokovic Wins Indian Wells, But You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet!

by Jeremy Davis | March 20th, 2016, 11:45 pm
  • 39 Comments

Something strange happened on Sunday evening in Indian Wells.
ADHEREL
It was world No. 1 Novak Djokovic beating the living shizznat out of everyone who stood before him.

On Sunday it was No. 12-ranked Milos Raonic, with Djokovic bludgeoning the Canadian 6-2, 6-0.

After the blood was wiped off from the court, the two players spoke to the crowd, before Raonic retired to the locker room and cried into a towel. Probably. Or he should have.


Raonic on court said he “looks forward to being back many times and being a better player each time…I don’t think [my adductor injury] affected my effort. I thought he played much better than I did…He’s the best returner, probably, of all time. Not only is he good when the ball is close to him, he’s even very good when it’s far away from him, making you play and neutralizing the point very well in that situation.”

It was the fifth Indian Wells title for the world No. 1 Serb.

“I am sorry that you were not at your best today, and I hope you heal yourself in time for Miami,” Djokovic said of Raonic in the on-court ceremony, also boosting Indian Well’s campaign to separate itself from the other Masters-level tournaments. “I truly believe that this tournament deserves to be a level higher than it is now. Between 1000 [-level] and Grand Slam there is nothing, but we could create something for Indian Wells.”

That stats — Djokovic is 46-6 at Indian Wells, winning three in a row from 2014-16. This was his 62nd tour title, and third of the year after Doha and the Aussie Open. Raonic fell to 8-9 in finals.

Afterwards Djokovic got on Billie Jean King’s bad side by re-igniting the men vs. women shitstorm, insinuating that men deserve more prize money than women for bringing in more fans and more overall tennis revenue.

“I think that our men’s tennis world, ATP world, should fight for more because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men’s tennis matches,” Djokovic said, in the era of Serena Williams, possibly the GOAT of the women’s game. “I think that’s one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more. But, again, we can’t complain because we also have great prize money in men’s tennis is at the right moment in the right time.”

The comments were at the same day that Indian Wells CEO Ray Moore said the WTA should “get on their knees” and thank Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for lifting them up.

“In my next life when I come back I want to be someone in the WTA, because they ride on the coattails of the men,” said Moore after maybe a couple too many cocktails. “They don’t make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky. If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport. They really have. And now the mantle is being handed over to Djokovic and Murray and some others. You know, that’s good. We have no complaints. You know, we pay equal prize money. Do all those things. We don’t have any complaints.”

After maybe a few too many Bloody Marys, and someone possibly grabbing him and shaking him, Moore then ran for cover.

“At my morning breakfast with the media, I made comments about the WTA that were in extremely poor taste and erroneous,” he stated. “I am truly sorry for those remarks, and apologize to all the players and WTA as a whole. We had a women’s final today that reflects the strength of the players, especially Serena and Victoria, and the entire WTA. Again, I am truly sorry for my remarks.”

But Moore wasn’t done, insinuating hot players like Garbine Muguruza and Eugenie Bouchard could save the WTA tour.

“I think the WTA have a handful — not just one or two — but they have a handful of very attractive prospects that can assume the mantle. You know, Muguruza, Genie Bouchard. They have a lot of very attractive players. And the standard in ladies tennis has improved unbelievably.”

Uh oh. But in case you thought he not only put his two feet in his mouth but was grabbing other feet, he clarified that they weren’t just hot — but could also play tennis.

“They are physically attractive and competitively attractive,” he said. “They can assume the mantle of leadership once Serena decides to stop. I think they really have quite a few very, very attractive players.”

Serena Williams later confirmed she could read and speak English, and was offended.

“I speak very good English,” the world No. 1 said. “I’m sure he does, too. You know, there’s only one way to interpret that. Get on your knees, which is offensive enough, and thank a man, which is not — we, as women, have come a long way. We shouldn’t have to drop to our knees at any point. Last year the women’s final at the US Open sold out well before the men. I’m sorry, did Roger play in that final or Rafa or any man play in that final that was sold out before the men’s final? I think not…You have to know of everything. I mean, you look at someone like Billie Jean King who opened so many doors for not only women’s players but women’s athletes in general…That is such a disservice to her and every female, not only a female athlete but every woman on this planet, that has ever tried to stand up for what they believed in and being proud to be a woman.”

So all in all, an INCREDIBLE Indian Wells final! Thanks for coming everyone, and watch for those Monday headlines, and people getting fired/stepping down.


You Might Like:
Roger Federer: I’m Still On Cloud Nine From Winning The Australian Open
No Miami For Novak Djokovic?
Kim Clijsters Takes Wildcard Into Indian Wells
Americans Harrison, Opelka, Tiafoe Fall At Indian Wells; Nadal-Tomic Doubles, Fritz Friday
Novak Djokovic Withdraws From Indian Wells Masters

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

39 Comments for Novak Djokovic Wins Indian Wells, But You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet!

chrisford1 Says:

Aside from the pay for play & “beauty sells” imbroglio that flared following the Final, some info most already know.

1. Djokovic now has the record in number of IW wins (5). He was tied with Fed before this.

2. He and Rafa, of course, are tied with 27 Masters each. Which is phenomenal by both guys.

3. 9 years have passed since Novak Djokovc won his 1st Masters in Miami. 81 Masters 1000s played. None won by a player younger than Novak. (But it is sort of unfair for Andy with Nole getting all the ‘youngest ‘ credit when Andy is just a week older.) 8 years of being the youngest Slam winner but for Cilic and Delpo.

4. Djokovic once again lobbied to make Indian Wells 1st among equals as the gem every pro wants an invite to. He wants more points given there.

5. Good praise for Rafa and Milos in his wins.

and he had this to say about H2Hs on Friday:

Well, certainly it is pleasing to
know that I have managed to, for the first time in my career ever since I started playing professional tennis, that I’m leading in a head-to-head against Roger and Rafa.
I mean, that wasn’t the case for ten years, and I worked very hard in order to have that positive head-to-head.
It does matter. It does really matter, of course. To what extent, it really does depend.
You know, I try not to make a big deal out of it, but I understand that being on the north side of head-to-head, it does contribute to
my, I would say, preparations.

That passing of Rafa at Doha and Roger at the AO meant a lot. Likely went from a time believing it was impossible, to really unlikely he would ever exceed them in H2H. Then to distant chance, on to “I just might do it”, then “Yeah, I can do it!!”. And now, not rubbing it in their faces, but really important he can prep believing he is as good or better than the two.

===========


Michael Says:

Well,Novak’s dominance of the men’s Tennis is something unprecedented, phenomenal and has no parallel. It is almost complete and perfect. I do not think Roger or Rafa during their fiefdom and prime had such dominance and aura that Novak is embodying today as the most Supreme player in the professional era to have dominated the circuit in such an authoritative fashion. He is almost unstoppable and shortly might yet again attain the coveted doubles crown by winning Miami too !!


Michael Says:

Chris – Great stats !! Nice for putting them up as reference !!


Ronn Says:

Thanks Djoko. Thanks for having the balls to say that the men deserve more money than the women because they do.


Green Lady Says:

Congrats Novak and fans on his 27th Masters 1000 title, well the sensible and none sexist ones anyway, didnt see the match, but by the score it seemed like a clinical performance, onto Miami he will probably win that too, does any other player have a hope in hell ?, the outlook is bleak for fans of every other player on tour at the moment, as theres no stopping Novak ….


Jane2 Says:

He speaks the absolute truth re equal prize money, and thanks Nole for being brave enough to come out and state the obvious! Hope many more now follow, as equal prize money is a travesty!!


Wog Boy Says:

I just checked race to London points, maybe that’s the answer why Roger decided to play Miami, he is #9 atm, and if something goes wrong later in the year he might miss the top8 cut for WTF, Rafa is already #11 in the race to London and I believe he wil be top8 after Miami.

Thanks GL, what happened last week, ManU fans couldn’t handle defeat (on aggregate) so they picked the fight with Liverpool fans, losers:)


SnotNosedKid Says:

Crap final. 2nd set bagel, what a shellacking. If that’s the best tennis we get at a Masters 1000 final, maybe instead of giving the men more dough they should give them less. Seems like Raonic is always pulling up injured at big moments. Men’s game right now is about as exciting as the dog days of Lendl’s reign in the 80’s: b-o-r-i-n-g.


Pauly Says:

Raonic was injured
With his monstrous serve he couldn’t lose this bad if he was fit


Kathy Says:

Raionic to get > $500 000 for that show? !!
Goffin should have played instead


danica Says:

Absolutely!
I am sorry Milos is injured again. That type of injury doesn’t heal fast and needs time off courts :(. I do hope it won’t affect the rest of the season for him.

As for money distribution, equal pay is all fine until we get to the Grand Slams. There is no way women deserve to be equally rewarded unless they also play in the best of 5 format. All seven matches at that.


Pauly Says:

Danica

I’d love to see women play finals like Nole vs Rafa in grand slams over 5 hours … Then I’d give them equal pay
Womens Tennis is best of three sets not five
Why can’t serena play five sets ?


mat4 Says:

Raonice is 2nd and Thiem 4th at the race. Is it a change of generation, finally?


Wog Boy Says:

mat4,
They are knocking on the door, it is matter of 6-12 months and few of them will break through. I keep saying that this might be last year of Nole dominance and multiple slams, maybe, just maybe next year. It is just natural process, next year top4 will be 30 plus years.


Wog Boy Says:

Just finished watching first set, Nole just played perfect set, nothing to do with any Raonic injury, he just did to him what he did to Roger and Andy at AO. If AO was best of three like IW, Roger and Andy wouldn’t look any better than Milos today at the end of the match. Nole just executed his game plan almost perfectly..since perfectly doesn’t really exist..


Giles Says:

Joker is becoming like his father , talks too much cr@p. As the saying goes. the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
And another thing joker. you will never ever be as popular as Fedal, even if you win 20 slams. Poor joker.
And last but not least blowing his own trumpet regarding h2hs.
All very unsavoury me thinks.
Eeeeeek!


Dave Says:

Nole even said in an interview that he was in the zone this match.


Wog Boy Says:

Yeah, just as I said, very well executed game plan by Nole. He never gave Milos same ball twice, never gave him time to settle for his shots, mixing it up almost as good as Roger :) mixing serves and often going for body serves or out wide, one of those days when everything works, good job Nole, off to Miami.


chrisford1 Says:

Two impressive things we are seeing from Djokovic:

1. As Dave and Wog Boy said, Djokovic was back in the zone for the Final. This is becoming a pattern – he went to Sampras after his Fall 2011 collapse on how to avoid it happening again and Pete’s best advice was don’t burn energy trying to dazzle from the 1st Round on. Conserve energy, avoid injury, by playing well enough to win, but no more. Pete said he told it to Nole because he had extra gears and just needed practice in calling it up on will when needed. Build to the semis and Final. Becker comes along when Djokovic is doing just that and he agrees, in fact, Becker was one of the examples of doing that conservation of energy/slow buildup Sampras had learned from.

It’s a very deliberate process and he is going it well enough that he goes a whole year of making finals. It’s working. Sustained excellence takes as much thought and effort on how to – sustain – as to – as work steered at how be excellent.

2. Djokovic has never been scripted. He gives thoughtful and articulate interviews and has shown balls as well…going into complex, often sensitive areas of discussion and taking them on. In Croatia talking the civil wars and the past and Kosovo. Standing up to the ATP. WADA, and ITF for Cilic and Troicki. The pay and gender dispute yesterday. Getting through such hot coals walks without personal damage..and sometimes getting great earned respect. That is a rare skill set. It is something highly valued in business leaders, diplomats, national-level politicians. Certain broadcasters and coaches. It’s one of the things that should stand well in shaping his post=tennis life.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Novak was unbeatable yesterday. Milos came out the first few games playing great tennis, hitting unbelievable shots. Novak was Rafa-like in his defense. I couldn’t believe shots that he was getting to, and hitting great shots back on the stretch. I think Milos’ serve was what really was affected by that injury. If I recall, it was similar, though more obvious in the Murray match at AO. Its very worrying that he took time off after Oz and still the problem has returned. A groin injury can be terribly recurring- I had probably fifteen years of recurrence with one before it disappeared.

One of the things that really stood out yesterday is how calm Novak looks. Nothing phases him, and his speed is so great that he can get to almost any ball in time to hit comfortably. His net game yesterday was also excellent.

Hope Milos can give him a better challenge next time!


Pauly Says:

Dave

Raonic can be in the zone also & nothing Djokovic can do to stop him if he’s serving his best
Remember Rome ?
Djokovic was so helpless
Raonic was serving his best
Aces kill tennis for the spectators


Wog Boy Says:

Pauly,

Who won at the end in Rome?


Daniel Says:

So, now enough with downplayong Djoko’s chance in any tounry by his “form”. We know it by now that he won’t be winning all matches 6-1 and 6-2, only when he is the zone the whole torney as Doha (maybe because is was first tourney and he was happy to be coming back).

So, unless someone actually make him play a MP he is favorite every match he plays agaisnt everybody until the end of the year at least regardless of form of the other player. Bar injury.

We saw this script again and again and again. He prove that he can win tournaments with hos B game and only reachh top level of needed in semis and finals.


Dave Says:

Exactly. You can’t depend on one shot for a whole match to be in the zone with. You need an all court game, depending on every shot to win these kinds of matches. Not only that, it seems like Raonic has practiced to many times with Nole since Rome, because Nole has such a good read on his serve now. He seems so comfortable playing Raonic now compared to before. My advice for Raonic. Don’t practice with Nole anymore.


James Says:

Overall, Djokovic is a better player than Nadal or Federer (even at their best). He is more complete than either. May not be as graceful as Federer, but is more effective. Mentally tougher than either, physically stronger than either, absolutely no weaknesses, and now has good offensive weapons too. Look at his 5th set record – its scary.

Yes, he still has “JUST” 11 slams and no French open, but he is GOAT. The stats will happen soon.

And of course, he has positive H2H against both now, which is only likely to go in one direction.

Federer at least has a partially valid excuse of being 6 years older than Djoke, so has a serious age disadvantage. Nadal doesn’t have that – he is just one year older.


Daniel Says:

Jamea,

Djoko still isn’t GOAT.

The same arguments you are making now were made to Nadal in 2010 and 2013 when he was on sky high ans with Federer before in 2006-2007.

First they have to acomplisg first. Djoko has to equal Nadal and Sampras to get in the mix. Of coirse some stats already create a case for him (record Masters, positov HxH even tough is just slightly now and hos slow HC dominance). But there is just too many things he has to acomplosh still like increase his #1 weeks, year end, Increase majors, total titles etc.

He is not top 3 in any of the main cathegories still: Total Slam wons, Total Weeks as #1 and Total year end #1.

As muh as Masters in a real modern (last 10-15 years) os measurement is not representative for the past as tournaments shifted names. We can only compare Masters after Sampras-Agasai days.

The others is a test of time.

Also, another positive for Djoko is that he rules 1 Slam like other GOAT contenders: Fed with Wimby and USO, Sampras with Wimby and USO, Nadal with RG, Borg with Wimby RG and Djoko with AO.

He sure has all possibilities to be the true GOAT by the end of 2017-2018 bit he still has to acomplish a lot.

The thing for GOAThood and the one os us who loke to diacuss ii is that sonce there are many parameter to be evaluated and nonody fullfill all we habe to go by elimination.

Who is the player who acomplished the most and has less gaps in his resume? And as of now it is still Federer, by quite a margin. Nobody comes close.

Of coirse there are other intangibles who are harder to measure and more subjective as weak era/ dominance,m; HxH with a particular player / dominating; conparibg old era with this one; Laver, who is on the limbo amin transition, etc… the field. What ever bias you have you lean to one side of this.

But stats and results are there and they can’t be contested.

If you have x Slams and y year end regardless of time and competition it proved you win more and were better than all other 6 bi tennis players out there. That can’t be taken away.


Pauly Says:

Djokovic isn’t better than Nadal at his best on clay
Djokovic isn’t better than Federer on hardcourts at his best m

Djokovic is lucky both Federer & Nadal are both not at their best Coz he wouldn’t be winning everything like he is currently

Federer Nadal both in decline either won’t win on their favourite surfaces sadly
I can’t see Federer winning Wimbledon
I can’t see Nadal winning French

Djokovic only worry currently is the inconsistent Stan Wawrinka who can over power anyone at his best
Other than that … Murray perhaps
Forget about the puppet aka nishikori
Raonic if he gets fit Maybe
Zverev is someone who can trouble Djokovic but he’s still raw

Looks like clean sweep for Djokovic
4 majors plus Olympic gold Rio

But fingers crossed that the others can trouble him also


Pauly Says:

Djokovic isn’t the GOAT

Federer still is in front of him so is Nadal
Grand slams determine who is the GOAT

Djokovic 11 only


Giles Says:

Who is this James making up stuff as he goes along??
And James, just to remind you, no French Open, no Goat talk please.


Vami Says:

ATP and WTA are business organizations. The earnings should be based on how much money they attract, that’s how I understood Novak’s comment (BTW, already abused by haters all over the world).
If WTA can generate more money than ATP than women players should be paid more, simple as that.
The problem I see with both WTA and ATP is that lower ranked players (x? – 100) do not earn enough, the money is not properly distributed. Those guys cannot afford teams, doctors and everything else that the top players have. The prizes at the top are fine for both ATP/WTA, how about increasing 1st and 2nd round earnings at all events? That’s the real problem if we want to see more names making it to the top. And this would help the game, contrary to the “equal right for sexes” political correctness that has no place in this particular case. But shallow minded people are riding the wave (google “Djokovic” news today), they’ve been waiting a long time to find something to attack Novak with. Hey, it’s been too long since the match fixing talk!


Dave Says:

Sorry Pauly. There is no way Federer is better on hardcourts than Nole. His stats won’t even come close in the end. Nole already has a higher winning percentage on hardcourts and has almost matched Federer in WTF with 5. 4 in a row. He has also won 8 slams already on hardcourts. In the end , people won’t be saying Federer is better on hardcourts. Nole has more masters than Federer on hardcourts already.


Dave Says:

Yes, Nadal is better than everyone on clay. His record for most French Open titles will stand for a long time. No one will be matching those records.


Dave Says:

Nole at his best, which is right now, would beat Federer at his best. Why? Because he is mentally far superior than Federer in their head to head. He is so far in Federers head at this point. It has nothing to do with tennis skills. They are both fine players. Sampras just said he hasn’t seen Federer play at the level he has been playing at the last few years, which would be higher than his great levels when he was winning everything. So he can’t beat Nole now at a grandslam. Nadal can match Nole mentally, therefore would still beat Nole even now at times, if they were both peaking. They are the 2 mentally strongest players.


Green Lady Says:

Wogboy @3.30am your welcome,yeah nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing Man UTD been brought down a peg or two, some of the fans are so arrogant, and glad Fergusons gone, what a cheat, my team must win by hook or by crook ….


BBB Says:

Vami – as I see it, if the idea is that earnings are driven by the market, then earnings are driven by the market. Hardly anyone is going to a tournament to see the lucky loser. An internally consistent position would either be to allow the market to determine earnings, in which case, at present, it would favor the top men, or to decide that equity is an important component, in which case you make adjustments both for the lower ranked men, and for the women’s tour.

It doesn’t make much sense to me to argue that the market should determine the compensation and then complain that the lower ranked players don’t make enough.


Dave Says:

Wow. First match for Federer could be against Juan Martin Del potro. That could be a great match. I hope Del potro wins his first match. Federer is on the same half as Djokovic. Nadal is on the other half. Krygios is in Nadals section.


Dave Says:

Federer actually has an easy draw to the semi-finals, besides possibly playing Del Potro in the second round. Federer has Ferrer in his qf. I don’t see that being a problem for him. All of the guys with fire power are in the other half. Nadal has Raonic, Kygrios, Wawrinka, Murray, Tsonga and others all in his half.


Daniel Says:

If Raonic os really injured he won’t make that far so Nadal can play Wawa quarters or Kyrgios. Semis Murray most likelly, he does like Miami and probably is pumped up after IW.

Fed x DelPo will be the duel of the lingering ones. Good to access how both are.

Lopez again in Djoko’s side?!?!


Lodhi Says:

The most epic Novak comment:

“I have tremendous respect for what women in global sport are doing and achieving. Their bodies are much different to men’s bodies. They have to go through a lot of different things that we don’t have to go through. You know, the hormones and different stuff, we don’t need to go into details.”

New meme: It’s the hormones stupid.

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam