Saturday at 9: 14 p. m. ET — Players and tournament medical teams at the indian wells open now face sharper scrutiny over on-court recovery tools after Novak Djokovic wore a white recovery sleeve during his opening match, and Katerina Siniakova’s marathon win left a key third-round matchup likely to test players’ turnaround ability.
Novak Djokovic’s Novak x Incrediwear sleeve makes recovery tech visible at Indian Wells Open
Djokovic wore a white sleeve on his right arm during his opening match at the Indian Wells Open, a new item from his signature Novak x Incrediwear line that the company’s website states uses infrared-emitting fabric to increase circulation. The player, who was playing his first match since losing the Australian Open final on February 1, won his opener 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, and described the sleeve as an “infrared wearable” using nanotechnology to speed anti-inflammatory processes and cellular recovery.
That wearable fact arrives alongside Djokovic’s broader pitch: he framed the partnership as authentic to his interests in wellness and longevity, saying the product aligns with how he manages recovery throughout the season. The sleeve’s presence on court transforms what had been a largely private recovery choice into a visible endorsement during match play, elevating the device’s profile among players, coaches and on-site medical staff.
Katerina Siniakova’s 3-hour, 28-minute victory intensifies recovery demands before Mirra Andreeva clash
Katerina Siniakova survived Leylah Fernandez 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 in a 3-hour, 28-minute match — the second-longest on the WTA Tour this season — to reach the third round at Indian Wells for the second straight year. The encounter featured 268 points, 208 minutes on court and 37 break-point chances, and finished three minutes shy of the season’s longest match, a 3-hour, 31-minute first-round clash at the Australian Open.
Siniakova’s performance included winning 64% of her first-serve points and 49% of second-serve points, while converting 4 of 19 break-point opportunities (Fernandez was 4 of 18). Her victory sets up a first-time meeting with Mirra Andreeva in the next round; if Siniakova overcomes Andreeva, she would advance to the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open in singles for the first time.
Djokovic’s sleeve and Siniakova’s marathon match change immediate recovery and scheduling choices
Both developments shift what teams must prioritize between rounds at Indian Wells. Djokovic’s public use of an Incrediwear sleeve frames recovery tech as a visible component of match preparation, while Siniakova’s 3-hour-plus contest creates an immediate need for effective post-match recovery before her scheduled third-round meeting with Mirra Andreeva. Djokovic emphasized the sleeve’s role in speeding anti-inflammatory processes, and Siniakova’s match statistics underline why rapid recovery is now central to how players approach the draw.
That said, the two stories also highlight different timelines: Djokovic positioned a recovery product at match start as part of brand and performance strategy after returning from a Grand Slam final, while Siniakova must rely on whatever recovery protocols she uses now to be physically ready for Andreeva. Tournament scheduling and the available recovery window will determine which approach pays off over the next match cycle.
Next confirmed event: Katerina Siniakova’s third-round match against Mirra Andreeva at the BNP Paribas Open (day and time unconfirmed). If Siniakova defeats Andreeva, she will advance to the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open in singles for the first time.
