Jack Draper was able to get the best win of his comeback so far after beating Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells.
Draper’s bone injury in his left arm kept him out of any form of competition for six months until last month when he returned for Great Britain’s Davis Cup tie against Norway.
This put him under a lot of pressure coming into Indian Wells, where Draper won the title last year, but he was still able to set up a highly anticipated fourth round match with Djokovic.
Draper had not played Djokovic since he was 19 years old, but he was able to come back from a set down to beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion five years later.
Djokovic was very complimentary towards Draper after the match, but they are actually not in agreement about the Briton’s level.
Jack Draper does not think he is ‘anywhere near’ back to his top level
In his post-match press conference after being beaten by Draper 4-6, 6-4 7-6(5), Djokovic was asked what he thought of his opponent’s level in just his second tournament back on the ATP Tour.
Djokovic claimed that Draper seems the same in terms of his level as he was before his injury hiatus, heaping praise on the 24-year-old Brit.
“I don’t think there is any major difference in his level from what he has, you know, shown pre-injury,” said Djokovic. “I mean, he’s been playing at a great level, actually. I have watched him a little bit, had some highlights in Dubai that he has played there a few matches.
“And here, obviously defending champion, he really likes the conditions, suiting his game, and you could see that.
“I mean, he’s playing really well. I mean, he’s confident and he was always confident and physically very fit. You know, just overall a great player, great guy. I wish him all the best for the rest of the tournament.”
Are you more or less confident that Novak Djokovic can win his 25th Grand Slam now?
Draper does not appear to be in agreement with Djokovic, as he believes he is not anywhere near the level that he hopes to be playing at.
“I still don’t feel like I’m playing anywhere near the way I want to play,” Draper said in his on-court interview. “I came out here and I won that match through determination.”
Who is Jack Draper playing next at Indian Wells?
Whatever the reason for Draper’s win over Djokovic, he is now back into the quarterfinals of Indian Wells.
This is where he will play two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev, who beat Alex Michelsen in his fourth round match.
Where will Jack Draper be ranked at the end of 2026?
Will he return to the top 10 or are you predicting him to drop down?
Draper has only ever played Medvedev one time before, which came on clay at the Italian Open in 2024.
On that occasion, Medvedev beat Draper 7-5, 6-4, but they are both very different players two years on from that match.
Draper will look to get revenge over Medvedev in their first ever hard court meeting at Indian Wells on Thursday, March 12.
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