Using a combination of poise and power, Nardi defeated No. 1-ranked Djokovic – his boyhood idol – with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 win on Monday night in the third round of the tournament in the Californian desert. The 20-year-old Italian closed out his memorable victory over the record holder of the most Grand Slam men’s singles titles of all time with a thumping ace. He then dropped his racket and brought his hands to his face almost in disbelief.

World No. 123-ranked Luca Nardi has stunned Novak Djokovic in a thrilling upset at Indian Wells, as the 20-year-old Italian became the lowest-ranked player to beat the tennis icon, who he had posters of on his bedroom wall while growing up.

Using a combination of poise and power, Nardi defeated Djokovic – his boyhood idol and the top seed of the ATP tour – with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 win on Monday night in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.

Nardi closed out his memorable victory over the record holder of the most Grand Slam men’s singles titles of all time with an ace.

He then dropped his racket and brought his hands to his face almost in disbelief before greeting Djokovic at the net.

Setting the tone early with his hard-hitting shots, Nardi frustrated Djokovic all evening.

Italy's Luca Nardi orchestrated a thrilling upset in straight sets against Novak Djokovic in Cali.

 

Italy’s Luca Nardi orchestrated a thrilling upset in straight sets against Novak Djokovic in Cali.

Djokovic huffed and puffed against the 20-year-old Italian but couldn't find a way past him

 

Djokovic huffed and puffed against the 20-year-old Italian but couldn’t find a way past him

Tennis' No. 1 was stunned after his three set loss in the third round to Nardi, who ranks No. 123

 

Tennis’ No. 1 was stunned after his three set loss in the third round to Nardi, who ranks No. 123

Nardi couldn't hide the smile on his face after dropping an ace to end the game against 'Djoko'

 

Nardi couldn’t hide the smile on his face after dropping an ace to end the game against ‘Djoko’

There was a moment when Nardi was surprised by an ‘in’ call and casually hit the ball back over the net. It resulted in a winner and led to Djokovic complaining to the official about a potential hindrance.

To think, Nardi was nearly on his way home. He got into the field as a ‘lucky loser,’ which is a player who stumbled on the final hurdle in qualifying but made it into the main draw as a replacement for an injured player who pulled out before the first round.