Novak Djokovic following Jack Draper defeat: 'I have a bitter feeling' Novak Djokovic expressed disappointment after losing to Jack Draper in a closely contested third-set tie-break at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The defending champion Draper secured a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) victory, marking one of the standout matches of the season. Djokovic, a five-time winner of the tournament, admitted to feeling "bitter" about the loss but praised his effort and resilience during the two-hour, 37-minute clash. In his post-match press conference, Djokovic acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating, "I have a 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. Just the fact of not giving up and trying." He emphasized the competitiveness of the match, noting that it was "so close" and that he felt the crowd's support gave him hope of turning it around. A pivotal moment in the match occurred during the third set, where Djokovic engaged in a 26-shot rally against Draper. The exchange featured drop shots and powerful lobs, with Djokovic ending the point on his back, visibly exhausted. Despite winning the critical point, Djokovic felt it cost him momentum, as Draper broke his serve shortly after. "It cost me a break after. It was great winning that point in that game, but I just ran completely out of gas and started to feel a bit better towards the end of the third," Djokovic said. Draper, returning from a long-term left arm injury, demonstrated strong form throughout the match. Djokovic praised the 22-year-old's performance, stating, "I don't think there is any major difference in his level from what he has shown pre-injury. He's been playing at a great level.#novak_djokovic #indian_wells #bnpparibas_open #lexus_atp_head2head #jack_draper
Kamil Majchrzak excited for 'PlayStation' Novak Djokovic challenge: 'You want to learn from the best' Kamil Majchrzak, a Polish tennis player ranked World No. 57, expressed his excitement about facing Novak Djokovic in their first-ever match. The encounter will take place in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open as part of the Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Majchrzak, who has climbed as high as No. 55 in the PIF ATP Rankings, described the opportunity to compete against Djokovic as a significant milestone in his career. Majchrzak recalled a memorable moment from 2022 when he trained with Djokovic at Wimbledon. He emphasized the Serbian’s exceptional skill, precision, and preparation, calling his practice sessions “top tier.” “The way he practises, how careful he is with any move he makes and how precise, everything is just top tier,” Majchrzak said. He aims to apply the lessons from that experience to his upcoming match against Djokovic. Djokovic, a record 40-time ATP Masters 1000 champion and tied with Roger Federer for the most Indian Wells titles, is known for his consistency and adaptability. Majchrzak highlighted Djokovic’s ability to play any ball from any position, noting his “incredible ball speed and quality” and “robotic” precision. “It is not easy to get the advantage against him,” he admitted. Majchrzak, a nine-time ATP Challenger Tour champion, has been working with coach Christopher Kas since September 2024. Kas has helped him refine his approach, particularly in critical moments. Majchrzak explained his focus on taking more initiative on the court, moving away from letting opponents dictate play. “My main focus has been to take more action into my hands and play myself instead of letting the play go and just run and hit,” he said.#novak_djokovic #kamil_majchrzak #bnpparibas_open #lexus_atp_head2head #atp_challenger_tour
