Novak Djokovic vomited during the match, with the scorching heat at Indian Wells creating a dramatic scene.

Having previously secured five titles at the Indian Wells Open, Djokovic quickly found his form again this time, managing to withstand Mehdzhak's pressure. After dropping the opening set, the Serbian completed a comeback, triumphing 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Yet, this win came with difficulty, as the desert heat in California tested the veteran athlete's physical limits.

At 1-1 in the third set, Djokovic slowly walked toward the back of the court. Away from the cameras, he quietly vomited once, then returned to continue playing. This moment was captured on video and quickly circulated among spectators and online fans.

Commentators also noticed the incident; co-commentator Robbie Koenig remarked, "I was just wondering if he might be feeling a bit unwell." Despite the sudden issue, Djokovic appeared largely unaffected, and the five-time champion of the tournament soon regained his focus and control over the match pace.

From that point onward, he hardly gave his opponent any further chances. Djokovic lost only one more game before closing out the match, securing his first victory at this tournament since 2024.

In fact, the match had already become extremely taxing earlier in the third set. Long rallies and high-intensity exchanges pushed both players to their limits, with one point involving over 40 shots. This physically draining rally seemed to test Djokovic's stamina under the hot desert conditions.

Even so, the Serbian maintained composure after the brief discomfort. When he returned to the court, he looked steady and determined to finish strongly. Just minutes later, Djokovic broke Mehdzhak's serve, thereby fully regaining command of the deciding set.

The start of the match was not smooth for the 38-year-old player. Mehdzhak began aggressively, building a two-break lead in the first set and taking it 6-4. Djokovic responded powerfully in the second set, elevating his level to win comfortably 6-1, forcing the match into a third set.

After the match, Djokovic discussed the challenges of playing at Indian Wells: "Obviously many different factors come into play. I know what I need to do on court, but training and playing practice matches are completely different from actually competing in a real match."

He also talked about the tough weather conditions: "I feel the wind here is one of the most difficult to handle on the tour. On days like today, with gusts varying in strength and constantly changing direction, it's very tough to play, especially on this side of the court, which adds extra pressure." He added: "If you're already a bit nervous or not feeling the ball well, it becomes a big problem. I've experienced this in the first set over the past few years. But as I said, I found the right approach from the start of the second set and never looked back. I'm glad I pushed through. It was a mentally and physically grueling battle, and now I'm just looking forward to the next match."

Although he has advanced to the next round, similar situations occurred last year as well, which took a toll on the Serbian star during the Asian season.

During last year's Shanghai Masters, Djokovic also vomited under harsh conditions. That happened in his round of 16 match against Munár, where Djokovic eventually won in three sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, after a long and arduous battle. However, that match was also extremely draining for the Serbian champion; during the play, he vomited multiple times due to difficulty adapting to the hot and humid environment.

Despite this, Djokovic persisted to finish the match, and his tenacity impressed many fans watching the intense contest. His sportsmanship also drew attention; Djokovic did not leave the cleanup to the ball kids, instead handling it himself. He picked up a towel and insisted on wiping the court himself, not letting the ball kids perform the unpleasant task.

The high humidity at that time made conditions even harder, with humidity exceeding 80% during the match. Speaking about the environment afterward, Djokovic said: "The conditions were the same for every player on court, but it was truly brutal." He further explained the impact of humidity and heat on players: "When humidity stays above 80% for consecutive days, it's really tough, especially for players competing during the day under high temperatures and sunlight."

Similar concerns arose at this year's BNP Paribas Open. During a match between Ruud and Shevchenko, a spectator in the stands suddenly fell ill, forcing a pause in play. Now, Djokovic continues his journey in the California desert. With the heat already posing challenges, the Serbian will face Kovachevich in the next round, aiming to advance to the round of 16.

Do you think Djokovic can overcome the heat and fan expectations to reach the round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open?Source: Tennis Home Author: Spark