Novak Djokovic continues to defy gravity on a tennis court at the age of 38.
It took everything defending champion Jack Draper had to bring the Grand Slam king down to earth.
Draper outlasted the five-time BNP Paribas Open champion 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) in a classic night session tilt in Stadium 1 on Wednesday, stretching his tournament winning streak to nine and taking a place next to Daniil Medvedev in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
“It was a crazy match,” Draper said. “I think both of us gave it our all. I think from my side, started off, like, a bit passive, and then as the match went on, I definitely was able to be more aggressive, you know, take control of the points on my terms.
“Just overwhelmed to obviously beat Novak, someone I have watched and admired and idolized since I was a kid. Just very grateful to be in this situation and go again tomorrow.”
It was a wild encounter, with the players splitting two tense sets before the real fireworks happened in the third set.
The point that changed everything
At 0-0, 30-all in the final set Djokovic won a lung-busting point that brought the crowd to a thunderous roar. Exhausted, laying on his back in midcourt, the Serbian icon soaked in the applause, but the point was so physical that it took the life out the Djokovic for a spell.
He survived the point but was broken soon after.
Djokovic was fatigued through a lot of the third set but he showed his mental toughness as he clung to his serve and traded blows with Draper in a match that felt like a boxing slugfest at times.
And he got his opportunity to level with Draper serving for the match at 5-all.
“Biggest choke,” Draper said of the break on court after the win. “I don’t know what the Twitter trolls will be saying about that one.”
Tension mounted as the pair went to a tiebreak.
Djokovic looked like he might be headed to victory, but Draper, throwing all his weight into his shots, rode a few big backhands, the last one clipping the tape as it zoomed down the line, to victory.
It was an emotional win for Draper, especially when we take into account the opponent and the struggles that the Brit has had of late. For the first time since his return from the arm injury that shortened his 2025 season, he looked fully liberated.
“I think we’re all very grateful that he’s still out here on the tour and still giving it his absolute all. It’s nice for us young guys to still have someone who is a great to really look up to,” he said.
“I just have so much respect for Novak. To come through today, it’s something I can’t describe.”