Five-time Indian Wells champions Novak Djokovic had a nervous start to the tournament as he dropped the opening set against Kamil Majchrzak in the second round of the tournament on Sunday. However, the Serbian registered a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to book his place in the third round.

This was Djokovic’s first match after his Australian Open final loss against Carlos Alcaraz and he showed some rustiness in the opening set of the match.

Djokovic admitted he is finding it hard to bring his top game at the BNP Paribas Open.

“It [has] been very challenging lately for me in Indian Wells,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “It has been hard for me to find my A-game, particularly in the beginning of the tournament in the past seven or eight years. I am glad to overcome a challenge.

“Kamil is a very solid player. He doesn’t have tremendous power but he has every shot in the book and he was not afraid to come in and take the ball early. He played a great first set. I reset and started to feel better and the crowd was amazing.”

The Serbian said the gusty winds in the California desert are the toughest to deal with on the tour.

“I find that the wind here is one of the toughest on Tour,” Djokovic added when speaking about the conditions. “With the gusts coming in and out, changing direction, it is so, so difficult. Particularly from one end of the court and it puts extra tension.”

Novak Djokovic will next take on Aleksandar Kovacevic in the third round on Monday.