Novak Djokovic's Indian Wells drama: How his family's support carried him through

The night was hot in the Californian desert, and it turned just as hot on the court for Novak Djokovic. In the second round of Indian Wells, the veteran Serb had to dig deeper than ever to overcome American Aleksandar Kovacevic. He eventually secured a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, but the path there was anything but straightforward. In truth, for long periods, it hung by a thread.

Kovacevic sent shockwaves through the arena

The first set was a pure show of power from Kovacevic. He hammered down one unreturnable serve after another, and Djokovic, for the first time in a while, looked short of answers. 4-6 and a lost set against a player he should, on paper, have had the measure of. But there's a reason Novak Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slams. Instead of shutting down, he cranked up his return game and started reading his opponent's serve much better. He took the second set convincingly, 6-3, and suddenly it was game on.

Jelena, Srdjan, Dijana and Marko: His family were his anchor

Sitting in the stands, the Djokovic clan were on tenterhooks. His wife, Jelena Djokovic, was constantly on the edge of her seat, and several times she was seen gesturing wildly whenever Novak won a key point. Behind her sat his parents, Srdjan Djokovic and Dijana Djokovic, alongside his younger brother Marko Djokovic. Srdjan, always known as Novak's first and biggest fan, was on his feet several times during the long rallies. It was clear to everyone that this wasn't just a tennis match – it was a family affair. Whenever Novak looked up at them after a crucial point, it gave him that extra bit of composure that made all the difference in the third set.

• The turning point: In the third set, with the scores at 3-3, Djokovic saved two break points with stunning forehand winners.
• Family energy: After each decisive shot, Novak looked up towards his brother Marko, who was cheering wildly.
• Match length: 2 hours and 41 minutes of battle – all in a day's work for a 38-year-old legend.
• Next challenge: The fourth round awaits, with one of the young guns looking to capitalise on any fatigue.

The legend who refuses to let go

After the match, Novak Djokovic blew a heart up towards his family. It was a moment that encapsulated everything he stands for. He has won Indian Wells five times before, and while his rivals are getting younger and stronger, his winning instinct remains intact. He knows he can't go on forever, but as long as his family are in the stands cheering him on, he'll keep finding new ways to win. Because, as he said with a smile to those around him: "They're the ones who give me the legs to keep going."