Indian Wells
Draper downs Djokovic in gruelling Indian Wells thriller
Defending champ and five-time titlist produce probably the greatest rallies you will note
March 12, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper take pleasure in a heat second on the internet after their three-set showdown Wednesday night at Indian Wells.
By Grant Thompson
Jack Draper earned probably the greatest wins of his profession Wednesday on the BNP Paribas Open in dramatic vogue. The Briton overcame five-time champion Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) to proceed his title defence on the ATP Masters 1000 occasion, the place Draper is into the quarter-finals.
Competing in simply his second ATP Tour occasion because the US Open final August, the lefty didn’t serve out the match at 5-4 within the decider, including drama to an already intriguing battle, through which each gamers pushed one another to the bodily restrict.
“I came out here tonight and I won that match through determination and trying to problem solve and do my best and have a great attitude,” Draper stated in his on-court interview.
“I’m proud of the way I regrouped. I haven’t been playing on the Tour [in] a long time, so to put away guys who are top players, it’s something that comes with confidence. It was a tough moment for me, but again, something I’m getting used to since coming back and I regrouped really well. That’s something I can be really proud of.”
Draper and Djokovic traded heavy hitting from the baseline, with the spotlight coming within the opening recreation of the decider at 30-all when Djokovic gained a wide ranging 26-shot rally — an alternate that can undoubtedly rank among the many better of the season. That rally, which earned a standing ovation from the gang, set the tone for the remainder of the match. Draper and Djokovic engaged in gruelling rallies that solely grew longer because the night time wore on.
The Serbian visibly struggled at instances to get well his breath after a number of prolonged rallies. Meanwhile, Draper improved his stage, placing the ball with growing authority and refusing to yield within the warmth of battle. Djokovic earned a 0/40 lead when Draper served for the match at 5-4 within the decider, ultimately incomes a break, however the 24-year-old rapidly rebounded and held his nerve within the deciding-set tie-break.
“For me to be on court again these last few weeks has been emotional for me and I’m really grateful for it,” Draper stated. “To come out here against Novak, for me the greatest tennis player there is, and someone I’ve been admiring and watching since I was a little kid. To do that, I’m just incredibly proud of myself.”
With his win, Draper improved to 1-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head collection with 101-time tour-level titlist Djokovic. Wednesday’s conflict marked their first encounter since Wimbledon in 2021, when Draper was outdoors the Top 200 of the PIF ATP Rankings.
Last season, Draper loved a career-best 12 months throughout which he reached a career-high No. 4 within the PIF ATP Rankings. However, the three-time tour-level titlist shut down his season prematurely in September resulting from an arm damage. Draper returned to competitors final month in a Davis Cup tie in opposition to Norway earlier than taking part in the ATP 500 occasion in Dubai.
Now with the strain of defending his greatest profession title, the 14th seed is passing the take a look at with flying colors. Up subsequent for Draper is two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev, who beat American Alex Michelsen 6-2, 6-4. Medvedev beat Draper of their lone assembly two years in the past in Rome.
Djokovic was aiming to hitch rivals Roger Federer (13) and Rafael Nadal (12) as the one males to succeed in 10 Indian Wells quarter-finals in event historical past. The 38-year-old departs California with a 7-2 season file, based on the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Djokovic reached the Australian Open closing, solely falling to World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
