Many of the standout players and teams who intended to compete in men’s doubles in Tennis Paradise were already known before Thursday’s draw.
But there was one big surprise.
Novak Djokovic lines up in doubles in Indian Wells for the first time since 2019 as the Serbian and Stefanos Tsitsipas were granted a wildcard.
The two have known each other and faced off in singles for years, with Djokovic coming from two sets down to beat the Greek in the 2021 French Open final.
Djokovic — who now resides in Greece — reached the doubles semifinals in that 2019 edition alongside Fabio Fognini.
He last played doubles at any tournament at Doha 2025 with Fernando Verdasco in the Spaniard’s farewell tournament.
Djokovic and Tsitsipas have a blockbuster opener against defending champions Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic.
If Djokovic wins that and happens to go all the way, the 38-year-old would get his hands on a second doubles trophy — 99 fewer than his singles haul.