Novak Djokovic Falls to Floor After One of the Points of Year Against Jack Draper

Defending champion Jack Draper battled past Novak Djokovic to schedule his quarterfinal match against Daniil Medvedev.

Novak Djokovic Falls to Floor After One of the Points of Year Against Jack Draper

Novak Djokovic won a point after a stunning rally against Jack Draper (Image via X/Tiempo De Tenis, Jeu Blanc, asud)

In Short
  • Novak Djokovic lost to Jack Draper in the Indian Wells fourth round with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).
  • The match featured a dramatic 26-shot rally that left the crowd in awe and exhausted Djokovic.
  • Draper's victory ties their head-to-head record at 1-1, with Djokovic previously winning their encounter at Wimbledon in 2021.

Novak Djokovic fell in the Indian Wells fourth round to Jack Draper in what has also become one of the dramatic matches of this season. Djokovic, bidding to break the tie with Roger Federer by winning his sixth title, was downed with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) scoreline.

The clash between the youngster and the veteran saw thrilling rallies, particularly the 26-shot rally they played in the opening game of the third set that left the Court 1 crowd in absolute awe. At 30-all on Djokovic’s serve, the two exchanged a few shots from the baseline before the Serb trotted forward toward the net, but Draper’s return made him run back and hit a lob just in time.

They continued to play from the baseline for a while, with one of Draper’s shots again forcing him to come forward. After a stunning backhand smash from Nole, Draper tried to hit a drop shot. Djokovic came just in time to send the ball cross-court.

Draper rushed forward, but by that time, the ball hit the net cord, and though it still landed inside, his shot went outside of the baseline. Djokovic fell on the court panting heavily as the crowd rose to its feet to give a round of applause. He got up, toweled himself, and gestured to the crowd to continue cheering.

Watch the video of the point here:

The win helped Draper tie the head-to-head record to 1-1. Before this match, they met in the first round of the 2021 Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic makes his feelings known on the point he won in the third set

Although Novak Djokovic crashed out, he at least was proud of his efforts. At the press conference afterward, he admitted that the point he won after that aforementioned 26-rally left him completely exhausted.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/#AusOpen)

Yeah, it cost me a break after you know…it was great winning that point in that game but I just run completely out of the gas and just started to feel a bit better toward the…basically end of the thrid and I, you know, he played a sloppy game to close it out 5-4 and I got the crowd backing me and I felt the energy and I was like, maybe I’m going to take this one and it was so close, I mean, just an unfortunate few mistakes from my side. Tie break for three up, five all as well. But that’s tennis.

Djokovic made the fourth round of Indian Wells for the first time since winning his fifth title in 2016 by defeating Milos Raonic. Last year, he suffered an opening-round exit.

I don’t know. I mean, a bitter feeling right now losing the match like this, but proud of myself for fighting and really giving it all on the court. That’s for sure. That’s the one thing that I’ll take as a highlight. And just the fact of not giving up and trying. I mean, obviously, I lost to a great player, and it was really such an even match throughout the entire two and a half hours.

Novak Djokovic added

Prior to his defeat to Jack Draper, Djokovic won his previous two matches in three sets. He was competing in his second tournament this year as he skipped the Middle East Swing following his Australian Open run.

Djokovic lost to World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the final in Melbourne after overcoming two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in five sets in the semifinals. Draper is also competing in his second tour-level tournament following the Dubai Tennis Championship. The defending champion will next be locking horns with Daniil Medvedev.

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