Tsitsipas Doubles History: Partners with Federer, Nadal & Djokovic
In a surprising turn at the BNP Paribas Open, Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas have advanced to the second round of the men’s doubles tournament after upsetting defending champions Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 6-3, 6-2 on . The pairing, formed as a wildcard entry, marks Djokovic’s first doubles appearance since 2019 and a unique collaboration between two of the sport’s biggest singles rivals.
A Rare Collaboration
The duo’s victory over Arevalo and Pavic, who won the Indian Wells doubles title in 2025, was a swift and decisive one, completed in just 53 minutes. Djokovic and Tsitsipas demonstrated strong serving, winning 89% of their first-serve points and successfully defending all four break points against them, according to ATP Infosys Stats. This unexpected partnership comes after Tsitsipas suffered a first-round loss to Denis Shapovalov in the singles competition, allowing him to focus solely on the doubles bracket.
This isn’t simply a case of two top singles players dabbling in doubles. It represents a rare convergence within the “Big Three” of men’s tennis. Djokovic’s participation means he now has the opportunity to become the second member of that group – following Rafael Nadal – to win a doubles title at Indian Wells. Roger Federer came close, reaching a pair of finals but never securing the championship. The pairing also highlights Tsitsipas’s unique position as the first man to have teamed up in doubles with all three members of the Big Three; he previously played with Federer at the Laver Cup in 2019.
Djokovic Returns to Doubles Play
Djokovic’s return to doubles is notable after a five-year hiatus, his last tournament appearance in the format being at the Doha 2025 event alongside Fernando Verdasco, which served as Verdasco’s farewell tournament. While renowned for his singles dominance – currently holding 24 Grand Slam titles – Djokovic has a history in doubles, reaching the semifinals at Indian Wells in 2019 with Fabio Fognini. His singles performance at this year’s BNP Paribas Open has also been strong, reaching the fourth round for the first time in nine years with a win over Aleksandar Kovacevic.
What’s Next for the Pair?
Djokovic and Tsitsipas will face Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot in the second round. This match presents a different challenge, pitting them against fellow singles competitors. The tournament draw also features other intriguing doubles pairings, including Jannik Sinner and Reilly Opelka, who received a wildcard and will face Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos. Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien are also competing, taking on cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot.
The unexpected success of Djokovic and Tsitsipas in their opening match adds an exciting new dimension to the BNP Paribas Open. While their singles careers remain the primary focus, their doubles run could provide a compelling storyline throughout the tournament, and potentially see Djokovic add another trophy to his already extensive collection. The pairing’s ability to translate their singles rivalry into a successful doubles partnership will be closely watched as they progress through the draw.