Djokovic’s absence in Indian Wells does not undermine the potential winner’s achievement, says Fritz

The absence of world number one Novak Djokovic from the Indian Wells court will not detract from the achievement of the eventual winner of the tournament, said defending champion Taylor Fritz.

A year ago, the Southern California native won the biggest title of his career in a draw that didn’t include a Serb who has been barred from entering the United States because he refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

I see it similar to last year, Fritz said on the sidelines of the Maestro Dobel Tequila event on Wednesday.

Not Novak, but at the end of the day, nobody’s going to look back at this tournament in 10, 20 years and be like, well, there’s a star because these people didn’t play, he said.

If you win Indian Wells, you win Indian Wells.

However, Fritz admitted that Djokovic’s no-show opens up opportunities for others, as the 22-time Grand Slam winner has lifted the trophy five times.

World number five Fritz, the top-ranked American man, said he is not trying to put too much pressure on himself to defend his title in the event he grew up with and is taking it one match at a time.

And he has only good memories of last year, when he beat an ankle injury and Spain’s Rafa Nadal in the final.

“Winning this tournament last year, it really couldn’t have happened in a better place,” he said.

It was such an amazing moment and I have a lot of confidence playing here. It feels like home.

While Djokovic, Nadal and the now-retired Roger Federer had won 13 of the 14 titles between 2004 and 2017, Fritz said players were now emerging from the shadows of tennis’ Big Three and he wouldn’t be surprised to see one of his compatriots claim. Masters 1000 title.

We have so many good American players, he said.

Tommy (Paul), this year he has played amazingly well. Frances (Tiafoe) is also going to have a great year. I think Seb (Korda) will have a great year.

Its exciting times.