Indian Wells
Draper beats Djokovic in Indian Wells thriller
The defending champion and five-time champion will deliver one of the best rallies you will ever see
March 12, 2026
Getty Images
Jack Draper defeated Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) in Indian Wells.
Grant Thompson
Jack Draper recorded one of the best wins of his career in dramatic fashion at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday. The Briton continued his defense of the ATP Masters 1000 title with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) win over five-time champion Novak Djokovic, which has seen Draper reach the quarter-finals.
Playing in his second ATP Tour event since last August’s U.S. Open, the southpaw failed to win 5-4 in the deciding set, adding drama to an already entertaining battle in which both players pushed each other to their physical limits.
“I came in here tonight and I won this game through determination, working through things, doing the best I could and having a good attitude,” Draper said in an on-court interview.
“I’m proud of the way I’ve regrouped. I haven’t been on tour yet [in] It’s been a long time, so to give up those top players, it’s a confidence thing. It was a tough moment for me but I’ve gotten used to it since coming back and I’ve readjusted well. That’s something I’m really proud of. “
Draper and Djokovic traded blows from the baseline, the highlight of which came in the first game of the decider when Djokovic won a stunning 26-shot matchup at 30-all – a match that will undoubtedly rank among the best of the season. The rally earned a standing ovation from the crowd and set the tone for the rest of the game. Draper and Djokovic engaged in a grueling standoff that only grew longer as the night wore on.
The Serb was at times visibly struggling to regain his breath after several lengthy rallies. Draper, meanwhile, raised his game, hitting the ball with more power and not yielding in the heat of battle. Draper served for a 5-4 lead in the deciding set, and Djokovic led 0-40 before finally getting a break, but the 24-year-old bounced back quickly and kept his cool in the deciding set tie-break.
“It’s been very exciting for me to be out on the field again these past few weeks and I’m really grateful,” Draper said. “To be here against Novak, who to me is the greatest tennis player in the world and someone I’ve admired and followed since I was a kid. I’m extremely proud of myself for that.”
With the win, Draper improves to 1-1 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series against 101-time Tour Champion Novak Djokovic. Wednesday’s match is their first meeting since Wimbledon 2021, when Draper was outside the top 200 of the PIF ATP Rankings.
Draper’s next opponent is two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev, who defeated American Alex Michelson 6-2, 6-4. Medvedev defeated Draper in their only meeting in Rome two years ago.
