Novak Djokovic spoke openly about his tough defeat at the Indian Wells Masters on Thursday. The Serbian addressed the key moments of the match, praised his opponent’s performance, and reflected on his own level during the showdown.
Djokovic locked horns with Jack Draper in the tournament’s Round of 16 on Wednesday. The Serb started the match on a strong note by dominating the first set; however, the Brit eventually won the next two sets, claiming a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) win.
Following this upset, Djokovic addressed the media in the post-match press conference, where he fielded questions surrounding the ins and outs of his clash against Draper. Amid this, he was asked about his thoughts on the crowd calling out and what a player thinks in such situations. Responding to this, he said:
“I don’t know. I don’t know what kind of situation you’re referring to, but, I mean, it was several, it is what it is. It’s excitement from the crowd, as well. I mean, I understand that people sometimes in heat of the moment, in the battle, like the one tonight, get excited during the point, and, you know, maybe between the points and — yeah, they just, excited, and that’s it.
“I don’t judge, criticize anybody. It was an incredible match to be part of on the court, and also, I’m sure, for the people watching in the stadium.”
Following this, he was asked about what made the difference in the end, to which he replied:
“One point. Yeah, one point. I mean, it cost me a break after, you know. It was great winning that point in that game, but I just, like, ran completely out of the gas and just started to feel a bit better towards basically end of the third.
“He played a sloppy game to close it out 5-4, and, you know, I got the crowd, you know, backing me, and I felt the energy. It was, like, maybe I’m gonna take this one. It was so close, so close. I mean, just unfortunate few mistakes from my side. Tiebreak, 4-3 up. 5-All, as well. That’s tennis.”
Djokovic further spoke about his opponent’s form during their match, stating that he played at a great level.
Novak Djokovic Weighed in on his Matchup Against Jack Draper at Indian Wells
In the aforementioned interview, Novak Djokovic was further asked about what he thought of Jack Draper’s play during the showdown. The Serb highlighted that there is not a major change in his form as compared to his pre-injury phase:
“I don’t think there is any major difference in his level from what he has, you know, shown pre-injury. I mean, he’s been playing at a great level, actually. I have watched him a little bit, had some highlights in Dubai that he has played there a few matches. And here, obviously defending champion, he really likes the conditions, suiting his game, and you could see that.
“I mean, he’s playing really well. I mean, he’s confident and he was always confident and physically very fit. You know, just overall a great player, great guy. I wish him all the best for the rest of the tournament.”
Moving further in the press conference, the former World No. 1 was asked to assess this tournament for him. Revealing that there is a ‘bitter’ feeling after the loss, he exuded pride in himself for fighting during the match. Calling it a good battle, he added:
“I mean, bitter feeling right now, losing a 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, you know, 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. Just a bit disappointed, of course, with getting off the court, fresh off the court. It is okay. I mean, I wish I could have done better, but it was a good fight.”
Novak Djokovic opened his 2026 season at the Australian Open, where he advanced to the finals after a 4-hour and 9-minute battle against Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. In the finals, he met Carlos Alcaraz, who, after a 3-hour and 2-minute battle, claimed the trophy with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 win.
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