Stefadjok? Novakanos? Djokovic and Tsitsipas pair stands out in star-studded Indian Wells men's doubles

They've stood opposite the net from each other 14 times, and now they're on the same side: Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas have taken a wild card into the BNP Paribas Open men's draw.

The Greek, and now Greece resident, are one of three high-profile teams to enter the historically star-studded event this year, along with Reilly Opelka and Jannik Sinner, and Emilio Nava and Ben Shelton.

Other notable names teaming up in the men's doubles event, which begins on Friday, include Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda, Daniil Medvedev and his recent nemesis Learner Tien, and cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot.

Though Tennis Paradise has seen its fair share of big-name doubles teams over the years looking for extra match play or a longer tenure amongst the scenery, Djokovic's decision to take part in this pairing sends a message, too.

In his pre-event press conference, Djokovic said that his run to the final of the Australian Open in January, where he beat Jannik Sinner in a five-set semifinal before losing in four to Carlos Alcaraz in the title match, showed that he "still [has] that edge."

"My logic is why not keep going as long as I have that fire and flair and quality and also motivation to do that," he said. Schedule is unclear, as it was in the last kind of couple years. You know, it kind of revolves mostly around Slams, but I kind of pick and choose where I want to play, where I feel like it's not just from a tennis standpoint but also emotionally, you know, brand-wise, or whatever it is, you know, that inspires me to come.

"And I have my reasons ... Indian Wells, as I mentioned, has been always a location that I was really happy to come back to in a tournament that I really love playing. I haven't had great results and performances in the last 10 years, but in the first 10 years of my career, this was one of the best tournaments.

"That's all. I mean, I really enjoy the thrill of competition. I enjoy still getting out there in front of the fans and really being competitive. Still No. 3 of the world, so I don't think it's too bad, you know, in terms of the ranking and results and performances."

"I still have that edge, and I'll keep on going as long as I feel like it," he added.