HISTORY ON LINE: NOVAK DJOKOVIC BEGINS INDIAN WELLS RUN TO SNATCH FEDERER’S TITLE RECORD
Is Djokovic the GOAT? Discover how Novak plans to break Roger Federer’s Indian Wells title record in the 2026 California desert.
Novak Djokovic is gearing up for his 17th run at Indian Wells, chasing a sixth Masters title in California. The draw hasn’t done him any favours, but plenty of experts still see him as a real threat to win it all.
He’s coming in hot, too. Djokovic kicked off the season by making it to the Australian Open final, only falling to Carlos Alcaraz at the very end.
There’s even more at stake this year. If Djokovic lifts the trophy at Indian Wells, he breaks a tournament record that Roger Federer currently shares with him.
Now, Federer’s name is all over the Indian Wells record books. Even after retiring in 2022, he still holds eight records there. You see his name next to most finals played, most matches played and won, and the most editions entered.
Right now, Federer and Djokovic are tied for most titles at Indian Wells, each with five. They also share a couple of other records, but this year, Djokovic has a shot at pulling ahead. If he wins, he grabs that title record outright, which would leave Federer with seven Indian Wells records to himself.
When it comes to head-to-head battles at Indian Wells, Djokovic has always had Federer’s number. They’ve faced off three times on those courts, and Djokovic came out on top every single time.
Here’s how some of the big records at Indian Wells stack up:
Most titles: Djokovic 5, Federer 5
Most finals: Federer 9
Most consecutive titles: Federer (2004–2006) and Djokovic (2014–2016), both with 3.
Most consecutive finals: Federer (two separate runs of 3), Djokovic (2014–2016)
Most matches played: Federer 79
Most matches won: Federer 66
Most consecutive matches won: Djokovic: 19
Most editions played: Federer 18.
Oldest champion: Federer (35 years, 7 months, 11 days in 2017)
So, while Federer still dominates the record books, Djokovic has a real chance to add another chapter to the rivalry and maybe take home another record for himself.
THE 3.3.26 DATE: UNEARTHING THE ROMANTIC DETAILS BEHIND ARYNA SABALENKA’S PROPOSAL IN CALIFORNIA
Aryna Sabalenka is engaged: Read about the 3.3.26 proposal to Georgios Frangulis and the reactions from Gauff, Alcaraz, and Djokovic.
Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz are just a couple of the tennis stars who rushed to celebrate Aryna Sabalenka’s big news: she’s engaged to Georgios Frangulis.
Sabalenka dropped the announcement on social media right before kicking off her run at Indian Wells. As the world number one, she’ll jump straight into the second round, waiting to face either Alycia Parks or Himeno Sakatsume. But honestly, her focus seems split lately, and who can blame her? Off the court, she’s soaking up all the love and congratulations pouring in from fellow players.
She posted a video of the proposal on Instagram, adding a simple, sweet caption: “You & me, forever, 3.3.26.” Coco Gauff chimed in with a quick "Congratulations", and Alcaraz went all out with a stretched-out “Congratulatiooooons!” Ben Shelton and Amanda Anisimova also sent their best, and even Novak Djokovic shared some love. Sabalenka’s close friend Paula Badosa joined in, and skiing legend Lindsey Vonn couldn’t resist commenting either.
Now, with all the excitement swirling around her engagement, you have to wonder, can Sabalenka keep her head in the game at Indian Wells? Wedding plans are probably swirling in her mind, but if history tells us anything, it’s that Sabalenka knows how to lock in when it matters. Her serve is as deadly as ever, and she’s already put together an 11-1 win-loss record this season, with two finals under her belt.
She kicked things off with a title in Brisbane, then hit a snag in the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina. No doubt, she’s itching to get back to her winning ways in California. The hard courts there play right into her strengths, and all four of her Grand Slam titles have come on this surface. Plus, she’s been a finalist at Indian Wells twice, so she’s got plenty of motivation to finally go all the way.
The field is stacked, so it won’t be easy. But honestly, if anyone’s primed for a breakthrough at Indian Wells, it’s Sabalenka.
TENNIS TRIPLE THREAT: ALCARAZ, SINNER, AND SABALENKA HUNT FOR GLOBAL SPORTS' BIGGEST INDIVIDUAL TROPHIES
Laureus 2026 nominees are out: Read why Alcaraz, Sinner, and Sabalenka are favourites to win global sports' most prestigious awards.
The Laureus Sports Awards announced their latest nominees on Tuesday, and tennis really took centre stage this year. Five tennis players landed spots across different categories, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner leading the charge as top contenders for World Sportsman of the Year.
These awards are a pretty big deal in the sports world, and tennis stars usually get a lot of love here. Legends like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams have all racked up multiple wins. Other big names, Justine Henin, Naomi Osaka, and Jennifer Capriati, have also claimed trophies in various categories.
This year, Alcaraz and Sinner headline the men’s awards. Both are up for World Sportsman of the Year after smashing through 2025 with two Grand Slam singles titles apiece. Alcaraz grabbed the French Open and US Open, collecting eight ATP titles overall. Sinner wasn’t far behind, winning six titles, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz didn’t slow down, either. He kicked off 2026 by winning the Australian Open and just kept rolling.
It’s not just about the men, though. Aryna Sabalenka is in the running for World Sportswoman of the Year after a dominant 2025. She spent the entire year as world No. 1 and picked up her fourth Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, plus three more WTA titles. She’s joined on the shortlist by footballer Aitana Bonmati, athletes Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Faith Kipyegon, and swimmer Katie Ledecky.
Amanda Anisimova’s comeback story also got some well-deserved recognition. She’s up for World Comeback of the Year after an incredible season where she made the finals at both the US Open and Wimbledon, scooped up two WTA 1000 titles, broke into the top 20, and finished the year ranked world No. 4. She’s competing with cyclists Egan Bernal and Simon Yates, golfer Rory McIlroy, athlete Yulimar Rojas, and footballer Leah Williamson.
Joao Fonseca is another name to watch. He’s nominated for World Breakthrough of the Year after jumping from outside the top 140 to inside the top 30, winning two ATP titles, and scoring wins at all four Grand Slams.
The shortlists are stacked this year. You’ve got Ousmane Dembele, Mondo Duplantis, Marc Marquez, and Tadej Pogacar in the men’s field. For the breakthrough award, there’s also footballer Desire Doue, basketball player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, darts prodigy Luke Littler, F1 champ Lando Norris, and swimmer Yu Zidi. The competition looks fierce all around.
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