“Are you watching the damn game!?” » Novak Djokovic had big breathing problems in the round of 16 failure at Indian Wells
Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Thursday, 12 March 2026, 08:00 / Updated on Thursday, 12 March 2026 08:02
Novak Djokovic (38 years, 3 ATP) failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 1000-point tournament in Indian Wells, being defeated by the British Jack Draper (24 years, 14 ATP) with 6-4, 4-6, 6-7 (5) after an intense fight, in which it seemed at many times that he had visible medical problems, which destabilized him quite a bit.
Even in this match, Djokovic couldn't help but shout to his box, sensing that he was in real trouble. At the start of the third set, it was an absolutely incredible point that will surely run on TV stations and social media throughout the day. The Serbian and the British exchanged 26 shots, and the decisive point went to Nole, who immediately after winning it fell to the ground.
The referee, of course, gave both players time to rest before continuing the game, but the fatigue was visible in the Serbian veteran, who from that moment struggled until the end of the match.
A point that cost him a game. Djokovic, powerless in the decider with Draper
During the following points, it was noticeable that Djokovic moved unsteadily, constantly looking towards his box and pointing to his stomach, accusing medical problems, while including breathing was seen to be increasingly fragmented.
Of course, at some point, Djokovic couldn't resist anymore, turned to his box and shouted loudly to coach Boris Bosnjakovic: “I can't breathe, are you watching the damn game?!”frustration was heard in Novak's voice, according to sportal.blic.rs.
In the end, Djokovic managed to take the third set to a tie-break, where he had a chance, a mini-break advantage, but did not capitalize on it, so Draper will continue his journey from Indian Wells in an attempt to defend his title, and his next opponent will be Daniil Medvedev.
