The Serbian tennis legend battled past American Aleksandar Kovacevic in three sets on Monday (09.03.26) but explained that he has had to "win ugly" to reach the fourth round of the event in California.

Djokovic said: "I’m not really enjoying myself at all times, to be honest.

"You’re trying to thrive in these kinds of conditions where you’re facing an opponent playing lights-out tennis.

"But winning ugly, right? That’s what counts. I’m glad to be able to overcome the challenge today."

It is the first time that Djokovic has reached the fourth round at Indian Wells since 2017 and he admits that he has found the conditions at the tournament difficult to deal with at times.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion said: "It [has] been very challenging lately for me in Indian Wells.

"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 find that the wind here is one of the toughest on Tour. 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."

Djokovic was also full of praise for the performance of world number 72 Kovacevic - who has a Serbian background.

He said: "It was a great performance from Aleks. We know each other. We speak the same language. His whole family is Serbian.

"It’s great to see him doing well. He’s played a great tournament so far. I knew coming into the match that if he serves well and picks his spots, it was going to be hard to break him. That’s what happened, actually."