Djokovic rejects question after Draper wins Indian Wells stormer | Tennis | Sport
Novak Djokovic admitted he had a “bitter feeling” after losing to Jack Draper (Image: Indian Wells)
Novak Djokovic has admitted he was left feeling “bitter” after Jack Draper secured an enormous victory over him at Indian Wells. He also refused to elaborate too much when asked a question about any potential breathing issues he endured against the Brit.
It was Draper’s biggest triumph since returning to the court after bone bruising in his arm side-lined him for several months.The 24-year-old had only faced the 24-time Grand Slam winner once in his career prior to their contest in California. That was all the way back in 2021 when the Serbian overcame the then 20-year-old 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 at Wimbledon on Centre Court. Nearly five years later, Djokovic took a tight first set 6-4, but Draper, who won Indian Wells last year, fired back to take the second by the same scoreline. If there was any doubt about the Brit’s physicality, after being injured for so long, it was blown away in the first game of set three, when they endured a pulsating 26-shot rally, which was narrowly won by Djokovic. The Serbian did not seem the same physically after and Draper was able to take advantage by winning the final set and the match on a tense tie break which finished 7-5.
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After the match, Djokovic was visibly disappointed to lose, particularly with the match being so close. He said: “I don’t know, (it’s a) bitter, bitter feeling right now, losing a match like this. I’m proud of myself for fighting and really giving it my all on the court, that’s for sure, that’s the one thing that I’ll take as a highlight, the fact I did not give up and kept trying.
“Obviously, I lost to a great player and it was such an even match throughout the entire two and a half hours. But yeah, I’m disappointed getting fresh off the court. But, it’s okay. I wish I could have done better, it was a good fight.”
He was then asked by a Serbian journalist if he was having any breathing issues, to which Djokovic replied: “My stomach, mostly my stomach and then it creates a problem with breathing.”
However, he refused to elaborate any more on the issue, commenting: “But, it’s all good, I don’t really want to talk about that now. What remains is the disappointment after such a loss. One point, just a few strokes, decided the winner tonight. I didn’t even know that I won one more point against today’s opponent. But the disappointment remains because I gave it my all.
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Jack Draper faced Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells (Image: Getty)
“I got back in the match when he served for the win in the third set. The fans were amazing, the atmosphere was unbelievable. The best match of this tournament so far, for sure. I really congratulate him, he remained calm until the end.
“It’s a shame now that I’m rewinding the film. A man is always wiser and smarter after the battle, but what’s there is there and I’ve had many wins like this, as well as losses, sadly, it is what it is.”
After beating the tennis icon, Draper, who will face Daniil Medvedev in the next round, said: “Just an incredible feeling. I’m out here against Novak, to me the greatest tennis player there is, and someone I’ve been admiring and watching since I was a little kid.
“So to do that, I was just incredibly proud of myself. It gives me so much confidence. I still don’t feel like I’m playing anywhere near the way I want to play. 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.”
