Novak Djokovic last played Indian Wells five years ago. A lot has happened since

With 24 Grand Slam singles trophies, 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles and seven year-end championships to his name, Novak Djokovic's place in tennis history is more than secure. But incredibly, the question "what might have been" can still be asked.

That's because Djokovic hasn't played Indian Wells—nor the Miami nor Canadian Opens—since 2019. Those three five-year droughts will come to an end this season, with Covid-19 vaccination requirements now lessened in North America.

How much more hardware would the superb Serb own had he participated in those nine combined tournaments? (None of the three Masters venues hosted tournaments in 2020.)

The better question might be, which players would own less?

Novak Djokovic career win-loss records at North American Masters 1000s

• Indian Wells: 50-9 (5-1 in finals)
• Miami: 44-7 (6-1 in finals)
• Montreal/Toronto: 37-7 (4-1 in finals)
• Totals: 131-23 (15-3 in finals)

It should come as little surprise that the scant Djokovic conquerors in finals are fellow future Hall of Famers: Rafael Nadal (Indian Wells, 2007) and Andy Murray (Miami, 2009 and Montreal, 2015).

As for the players who won titles in Indian Wells, Miami and Canada since Djokovic last played each event—well, see if you can guess them. (Answers after the photo.)

North American Masters 1000s men's singles champions since 2021

• Carlos Alcaraz, twice (2022 Miami, 2023 Indian Wells)
• Daniil Medvedev, twice (2021 Canada, 2023 Miami)
• Jannik Sinner (2023 Canada; he was also twice runner-up in Miami)
• Cameron Norrie (2021 Indian Wells)
• Taylor Fritz (2022 Indian Wells)
• Hubert Hurkacz (2021 Miami)
• Pablo Carreno Busta (2022 Canada)

“It’s been five years, way too long to not be part of Tennis Paradise,” Djokovic said on the BNP Paribas Open's Instagram. But the 36-year-old returns to the west coast tennis mecca, perhaps even better than when Indian Wells fans last saw him. Since the 2019 tournament, Djokovic has won nine Grand Slam titles—37.5 percent of his entire major haul!—and has almost universally been declared the greatest men's tennis player ever.

Those fans are more than ready for his return. The GOAT may have been gone for a few years, but he certainly wasn't forgotten.