Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Adrian Mannarino of France in their fourth-round match at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Jan 21, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

LOS ANGELES - Novak Djokovic returns to Indian Wells for the first time in five years seeking a record sixth title while Coco Gauff looks to become the first US woman to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 2001 when main-draw action begins on Wednesday.

The Serbian winner of 24 Grand Slam titles hasn't competed at the BNP Paribas Open since 2019 due to US travel restrictions related to COVID-19. But he has looked relaxed in Southern California the past few weeks, catching Lakers and LA Galaxy games and training at UCLA.

Feeling no pressure could make Djokovic even more lethal, said Paul Annacone, who coached Roger Federer and Pete Sampras and is a commentator with Tennis Channel.

"With some people you can say relaxation can lead to complacency but not for him, not with his personality and his desire to compete," Annacone told Reuters.

"Relaxation for Novak should lead to more joy, which should mean more fun. And joy and fun with that great talent tends to equal winning."

ALSO READ: Djokovic thrilled to return to Indian Wells after 5-year hiatus

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his match against Dominic Thiem of Austria during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, on Jan 2, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

Also back after missing last year's event is Nadal, who has 22 Grand Slam titles and three Indian Wells crowns.

The Spaniard has suggested that his career might be coming to a close and said he just wants to negotiate the desert event "unscathed" so he stays healthy for the clay court season.

Nadal returned to competition in Brisbane in January after almost a year sidelined with a hip flexor injury, but had to miss the Australian Open with another muscle tear.

Meanwhile the next generation continues to make inroads.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz hits a return against Germany's Alexander Zverev during their men's singles quarter-final match on day 11 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan 24, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

A successful title defense for Carlos Alcaraz would provide a huge boost in confidence for Nadal's 20-year-old compatriot.

"To go back-to-back would be spectacular," Annacone said.

ALSO READ: Nadal aims to play at French Open, Olympics

A title at the event sometimes nicknamed the "fifth Slam" would be confirmation that 22-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner's maiden Grand Slam title in Australia in January was no fluke.

Daniil Medvedev returns the ball to Ugo Humbert of France during a semi final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

Russian hard-court specialist Daniil Medvedev, dangerous Dane Holger Rune and American 2022 champion Taylor Fritz are among the other men who should prove tough to beat.

On the women's side, defending champion Elena Rybakina comes to the desert full of confidence after winning Abu Dhabi last month.

"It's going to be playing quick through the air, the courts tend to be gritty, which will work with her great serve and power tennis," Annacone said.

There was something of a Big Three developing in the women's game with Rybakina, world number one and 2022 champion Iga Swiatek and reigning two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka separating themselves from the pack.

Coco Gauff of the US serves to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during a match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Feb 21, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

But US Open champion Gauff and world number five Jessica Pegula would love to break up the party with a title to end a long drought for American women at Indian Wells.

READ MORE: Gauff fells Frech to reach first Melbourne quarter-final

Former world number one Naomi Osaka is still trying to recover the form that took her to four Grand Slam titles after a maternity break.

The Japanese fell in the first round of the Australian Open and in Abu Dhabi, and lost to Karolina Pliskova in the Qatar Open quarter-finals.

"There isn't a big sample size yet but when you're that great and you're still that young, there's no reason she shouldn't get back to her top gear," Annacone said.

"She just has to get some more reps."