Novak Djokovic, one of the greatest tennis players in history, expressed his deep frustration after a dramatic and thrilling loss to Jack Draper in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open, leaving him with a “bitter feeling.” The match, which lasted over two and a half hours, saw Djokovic succumb by 4–6, 6–4, 7–6, in an intense struggle that illustrates the cruel nature of the sport and the importance of small margins.
After the match, Djokovic did not hesitate to point out that the final result came down to “one point.” “One point,” repeated the 24-time Grand Slam champion, emphasizing the critical importance of that decisive moment. He revealed that a spectacular rally at the end of the third set drained his energy, even though he won the point. “It cost me a break afterwards,” admitted Djokovic. “It was great to win that point, but I was completely out of gas and started to feel a bit down at the end of the third set.”
However, when Draper failed to close out the match while serving at 5–4, Djokovic managed to regain some momentum. “He played a disastrous game to close at 5–4 and I felt the support of the crowd,” he stated. “I felt the energy and thought maybe I could win. I was so close — so close.”
In the decisive tiebreak, Djokovic acknowledged that some crucial errors turned out to be fatal. “Just a few unfortunate mistakes on my part in the tiebreak,” he lamented. Interestingly, the Serbian discovered that he had won one more point than Draper throughout the entire match, a fact that highlights the narrow margin between victory and defeat. “I didn’t know I had won one more point than my opponent. But it is really disappointing. One point or a few points decided today’s winner.”
Djokovic did not hold back in praising Draper, who continues to gain strength following his return from injury. “I don’t think there’s a significant difference in his level compared to what he showed before the injury,” Djokovic said. “He has been playing at a great level. I watched some highlights from Dubai where he played some matches, and here he is the defending champion and really enjoys the conditions. You could see he was playing very well, confident, physically fit — a great player and a great person. I wish him all the best for the rest of the tournament.”
As for the vibrant atmosphere of the match, there were moments during the game when members of the crowd shouted during the rallies, but Djokovic understood the excitement of the moment. “It is what it is,” he said. “It’s the excitement of the crowd as well. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, in a battle like today’s, people get excited during the point or between points. I don’t judge or criticize anyone. It was an incredible match to be a part of, and I’m sure it was for those who watched in the stadium too.”
Despite the disappointment, Djokovic found reasons to be proud of his performance. “A bitter feeling now, to lose a match like this,” he admitted. “But I am proud of myself for fighting and giving everything on the court. That is one of the things I will highlight — not giving up and trying. I lost to a great player, and it was a very close match throughout.” For him, the atmosphere made this one of the best matches of the tournament. “The crowd was incredible, really. The atmosphere was fantastic. It was, without a doubt, the best match of the tournament.”
Finally, Djokovic acknowledged that, although he won some matches at Indian Wells, it still does not meet his high expectations. “For my expectations and standards, it’s not enough,” he stated. “Of course, I’m disappointed now because I would have liked to have done better, but that’s how sports work. I’ve had many victories like this in my life and also defeats. That’s how things happen.”
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