Jack Draper Shares Feelings on Point Novak Djokovic Won After 26-Shot Rally

Jack Draper has tied his head-to-head record over Novak Djokovic to 1-1.

Jack Draper Shares Feelings on Point Novak Djokovic Won After 26-Shot Rally

Novak Djokovic, Jack Draper (Image via X/Tiempo De Tenis, British Tennis Players)

In Short
  • Jack Draper defeated Novak Djokovic in a thrilling three-set match at Indian Wells.
  • Draper praised Djokovic's performance, highlighting the challenge of competing against him at 39 years old.
  • Djokovic's fourth-round appearance marked his best showing at Indian Wells since 2017.

Jack Draper downed Novak Djokovic after a thrilling three-setter in the fourth round of Indian Wells. Djokovic, even though he will turn 39 this May, is not showing any signs of rust and is continuing to challenge the youngsters.

At 30-30 in the opening game of the third set, they played a thrilling 26-shot rally, with Draper often trying to take Djokovic by surprise by hitting drop shots. Djokovic produced a variety of shots and ultimately won the point.

He fell on the court and remained there for a few seconds before he got up and asked the crowd to continue cheering. Draper, at the press conference after his win, was asked to comment on that point.

Yeah, I think it was a really important point. Because I felt like it’s not easy to do four big sprints. I think the drop shots I hit were decent. So, drop shots a lot. It was like a conditioning session for him at that point. And it was already a physical match at that point, and I felt the repercussions at that point.

Draper has tied the head-to-head record over Nole to 1-1. Prior to this clash, they met in the first round of the 2021 Wimbledon.

I knew that the next point again I had to be really, really solid to back it up, and I felt like it set the tone for the set for me for sure, even though I lost the point. So saying that, you never know, Novak, he’s going to come and he’s always going to be at you.

Jack Draper added

After surviving the scare, the defending champion has set up his quarterfinal match against Daniil Medvedev. The 2021 US Open champion holds a 1-0 head-to-head lead over the Brit, defeating him in the second round of the 2024 Italian Open.

Jack Draper is in awe of Novak Djokovic’s performances

Novak Djokovic has reached the twilight of his career, but he continues to be a huge threat on the tour. Indian Wells was the Serb’s second tournament of the season as he skipped the Middle East Swing.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/SK)

Before Indian Wells, Djokovic played the Australian Open, where his run ended with a four-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. In the semifinals, Djokovic knocked out two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in five sets, snapping his five-match losing streak.

Jack Draper, at the press conference after upsetting Djokovic in the California desert, said the tour is lucky to have the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

I haven’t watched much tennis while I was away, but whenever he is playing, I always try to watch; I admire him a lot. It was a very tough match; playing like this at 38-39 years old is incredible, seeing all the tennis he continues to show. I think we are all very grateful that he is still on tour and giving his all; it’s good for us, the young ones, to live with someone we truly admire.

Djokovic holds the record for the most Indian Wells titles, along with Roger Federer, with both winning five each. The last time he won the first Masters 1000 title was in 2016 by defeating Milos Raonic. Djokovic, who last year suffered an opening-round exit, made the fourth round here for the first time since 2017.

Draper, on the other hand, defeated Holger Rune in last year’s Indian Wells to win his first Big Title of his career. He also reached the final of the Madrid Open but lost to three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud. Last year, Draper also lost the Qatar Open to Andrey Rublev.

Also read: Victoria Mboko Shares Honest Feelings After Debuting as a Top 10 Player in Indian Wells