Novak Djokovic was spotted in LA after withdrawing from the Miami Open

Novak Djokovic has stayed in America after withdrawing from the Miami Open. The world No. 1 crashed out of Indian Wells on Tuesday but he was still State-side on Saturday to watch an LA Lakers game. Djokovic suffered a shock defeat to the world No. 123 in California and later pulled out of Miami, claiming that he was “balancing my private and professional schedule.”

Djokovic has arguably spent more time at other sporting events than he did in Indian Wells since making the trip to America at the end of February. Ahead of the tournament, the 24-time Major winner took his son to see Inter Miami take on LA Galaxy.

He then watched Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets beat the LA Lakers. And even after pulling out of the upcoming Miami Open, Djokovic has remained in America for another NBA game, this time watching the LA Lakers lose to the Golden State Warriors.

It was an unexpected appearance from Djokovic, who traded jerseys with Steph Curry on Saturday night. The 36-year-old was knocked out of Indian Wells earlier this week and subsequently withdrew from the Miami Open for an unusual reason

Novak Djokovic crashed out to lucky loser Luca Nardi (Image: Getty)

“Unfortunately I won’t be playing the @MiamiOpen this year. At this stage of my career, I’m balancing my private and professional schedule,” Djokovic tweeted on Saturday, a few days after it was reported that he would skip the tournament. “I’m sorry that I won’t experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world. I’m looking fw competing in MI in future!”

While many assumed that Djokovic was keen to head home to his family, the 98-time title winner seemed to be in no rush to leave California as he made his courtside appearance four days after his Indian Wells run came to an end.

The world No. 1 suffered the biggest upset of the season as lucky loser Luca Nardi beat him in the third round. The Italian lost in qualifying but made it into the main draw when Tomas Etcheverry withdrew. In just his sixth-ever victory on the ATP Tour, he stunned the five-time Indian Wells champion 6-4 3-6 6-3.

Novak Djokovic also went to see the LA Lakers before Indian Wells started (Image: Getty)

After the match, Djokovic admitted it was difficult to lose early when he wasn’t playing as frequently as he used to. “I do play fewer tournaments, so I’m more selective with my schedule,” he explained.

“So of course it’s not a great feeling when you, you know, drop out very early in the tournament, and especially here, I haven’t played five years. I really wanted to do well. But wasn’t meant to be. We move on.”

That didn’t stop Djokovic from deciding to skip the second Masters 1000 of the year instead of getting some more matches under his belt, having played just 11 this season. He is next expected to compete in Monte Carlo, with the tournament beginning on April 7.