Novak Djokovic faces tough road back at Indian Wells

Five-time champion Novak Djokovic has been handed a tough draw in Indian Wells as he prepares to return to action following elbow surgery.

Djokovic has not played since a fourth-round defeat by Hyeon Chung at the Australian Open, which was his first tournament in six months.

The 30-year-old has a bye as the 10th seed in Indian Wells and will open against a qualifier in round two.

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Should he get through, testing contests could follow against Kei Nishikori in round three and Juan Martin del Potro in round four before even the quarterfinal stage.

Djokovic revealed after the Australian Open that he had undergone “a small medical intervention” on his elbow, and he has since been training with coach Andre Agassi and his team in Las Vegas in preparation for Indian Wells.

Will @DjokerNole win a sixth title in the Californian desert? Along his path at #BNPPO18 potentially awaits…

1R ?? Bye
2R ?? Qualifier
3R ?? Nishikori
4R ?? del Potro
QF ?? Cilic
SF ?? Zverev (Sock)
F ?? Federer (Dimitrov) https://t.co/ULPdoMoepv

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) March 7, 2018

Defending champion Roger Federer will open against Ryan Harrison or Federico Delbonis, with Dominic Thiem a potential quarterfinal opponent and Grigor Dimitrov seeded to be waiting in the semis.

Like Djokovic, the Swiss is chasing a sixth Indian Wells title, and the 36-year-old must reach the semifinals if he is to hold on to the No.1 ranking ahead of Rafael Nadal.

The Spaniard is absent because of injury, along with Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, David Goffin and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Second seed Marin Cilic will open against Viktor Troicki or Martin Fucsovics in round two, third seed Dimitrov takes on Fernando Verdasco or Guido Pella and fourth seed Alexander Zverev plays Mikhail Youzhny or Joao Sousa.

.@DjokerNole takes to the practice court at #BNPPO2018 https://t.co/qHG9vshUvY

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 6, 2018