Remember that shocking video of Novak Djokovic limping while entering the airport in Doha last month? It sent shockwaves through the tennis world. After his Australian Open hamstring issue and a quick exit in Qatar, it looked like he was battling something serious. Was it another injury plaguing the world number one?

During a press conference ahead of his Indian Wells campaign, the former World No.1 said, “It was really, yeah, awkward to see that video, because I arrived to the airport and I hit myself really badly as I was walking out, because it was very early, I think, 4 or 5 a.m. I was just limping because I hit myself badly in the ankle,” Djokovic, the tournament’s No. 6 seed, said Thursday.

“That’s all. It was just a hit. It was nothing else. But then people connected it to the injury and thought it was something escalating and coming back. But anyway, I’m feeling good. I really look forward coming to Indian Wells and Miami this year. I’ll play the Sunshine Double first time after, I think, six years.”

“But anyway, I’m feeling good. I really look forward coming to Indian Wells and Miami this year. I’ll play the Sunshine Double first time after, I think, six years.”

For the uninitiated, the 37-year-old is a five-time Indian Wells champion. Earning his first victory in 2008, Djokovic hasn’t been able to go deep ever since he last won the title in 2016. It also marked his third straight victory at the event after lifting the trophy in 2014 and 2015. Also, this edition will mark his first appearance at the BNP Paribas Open after the 2019 campaign when he was ousted in R32.

“I haven’t done really well in Indian Wells and Miami ever since 2016 or ’17, and I struggled to find my best game here. I’m not going to get younger; I know that. But I definitely look to go deep in the tournament. I’ve done, I think, the right things in preparation. I’ve been playing some good tennis these days. So let’s see how far I can go,” admitted the Serb in his pre-tournament press conference.

Djokovic will kick off his journey on Friday against Botic Van de Zandschulp. The Dutchman has moved into the second round after his opponent and former World No.13 Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the first round due to a wrist injury. Speaking of the upcoming battle, it will mark the second face-off between Djokovic and Zandschulp. The Serbian leads the h2h tally 1-0 owing to his victory back in 2022 during R16 of the Astana Open.

Well, it might seem counterintuitive, but even with his Qatar Open loss, Novak Djokovic managed to climb the ladder in the rankings.

Novak Djokovic leapfrogs Alex de Minaur in rankings despite Qatar Open loss

Djokovic suffered a straight-sets loss to Matteo Berrettini, appearing off his game in his return. “I didn’t have any pain or discomfort in that sense. I was outplayed by just a better player today,” he said in his post-match press conference. “Yes, I wasn’t at my desired level, and it could be that I’m still not moving the way I want to move, but, I mean, I played without pain, so there is no excuse in that.”

Even with his early Qatar Open exit, Novak Djokovic climbed the rankings, capitalizing on Alex de Minaur’s own unexpected loss. De Minaur, who had reached World No. 6, fell after losing to Andrey Rublev in the QFs, allowing Djokovic to move to No. 7 and Daniil Medvedev to No. 6.

De Minaur’s defeat was particularly costly, given Carlos Alcaraz’s exit from the other side of the draw. Adding to Djokovic’s advantage is his relatively low points defense at Indian Wells, where he suffered a round of 32 loss last year. Guess where he’s standing now?

With a total loss of 450 points, Alex de Minaur, who is currently sitting at No. 10, will be pushed 2 ranks down in the upcoming rankings list on Monday. On the other hand, Djokovic still remains on the list, securing his 7th spot firmly. At the Indian Wells, the Serbian will surely look to go up while trying to capture his 100th ATP trophy.