INDIAN WELLS: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic said his excitement level is high as he returns to the ATP Indian Wells Masters for the first time in five years.

The Serb will resume his quest for a record-setting sixth trophy at the ATP-WTA California desert classic, which he last won in 2016 and last played in 2019.

鈥淚鈥檓 very excited to come back,鈥� the 24-time Grand Slam champion said on Thursday prior to his upcoming second-round opener against Australian Aleksandar Vukic.

鈥淭ime flies incredibly fast 鈥� let鈥檚 see if I can have a good tournament.鈥�

After taking a six-week pause since he lost an Australian Open semifinal against eventual champion Jannik Sinner, the 36-year-old Djokovic made sure to arrive in California well over a week before the start of play here.

In addition to practicing at the courts at the University of California at Los Angeles he was spotted taking in an NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets,who are led by Serbian star Nikola Jokic.

鈥淚鈥檓 ready to get into competition. I鈥檝e been training well and I arrived in LA quite early,鈥� Djokovic said.

The Serb said he and his team are fine-tuning their strategy to emphasize the four Grand Slams and other big events on the near-nonstop ATP calendar.

鈥淲e want to have clarity on goals and tournaments,鈥� Djokovic said. 鈥淚 want to focus on the slams and the other big events.

鈥淚 want to get the most out of myself in all events where I participate.

鈥淚鈥檓 not playing full seasons (any more) and I will be more selective as to where I play. I鈥檒l listen to my body and create a schedule around the big events.

鈥淚 want to get the most out of myself in the later stages of my career.鈥�

Djokovic won the Indian Wells title in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and he couldn鈥檛 play the next three years because of US travel restrictions on those not vaccinated for COVID.

His five titles are tied for the most with Roger Federer and he admitted he misses his retired Swiss rival. He鈥檚 also pining for matches against 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

The 37-year-old Spaniard, who missed most of last year, returned at Brisbane in January but was forced out of the Australian Open by another injury and on Wednesday withdrew from his planned comeback at Indian Wells due to lack of preparation and fitness.

鈥淭hose two guys and Andy Murray are an inseparable part of my development as a player,鈥� Djokovic said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 down to the rivalries I had with those guys.

鈥淏ut the moment (of retirement) will come for all of us. An era comes to an end but there are so many wonderful moments and milestones we can celebrate.

鈥淭he rivalries between us are one of the greatest the sport has ever seen.

鈥淟et鈥檚 see how much farther I can push the needle.鈥�