Kamil Majchrzak excited for 'PlayStation' Novak Djokovic challenge: 'You want to learn from the best'

Indian Wells

Majchrzak excited for 'PlayStation' Djokovic challenge: 'You want to learn from the best'

Pole details what makes Djokovic such a difficult opponent

ATP Tour

Kamil Majchrzak has climbed as high as No. 55 in the PIF ATP Rankings. By Andrew Eichenholz

A memorable moment in Kamil Majchrzak’s career came in 2022 at Wimbledon, where the Pole had the opportunity to train with his idol: Novak Djokovic. Majchrzak had watched the Serbian play countless matches and finally, he stood across the net from him.

“It was amazing to practise with Novak and to witness his ball and the quality of his shots, but also his attitude and also the general presence and the way he prepares for the practice,” Majchrzak told ATPTour.com. “The way he practises, how careful he is with any move he makes and how precise, everything is just top tier. I was trying to get as much as possible for myself out of this practice, and that's what I'm going to do on Saturday as well.”

Saturday is when Majchrzak faces Djokovic in a match for the first time. They will open their Lexus ATP Head2Head series in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.

“I'm actually really excited to play against Novak. He's one of the greatest tennis players ever, and if you want to learn, you want to learn from the best,” Majchrzak said. “I never had a chance to play against Rafa or Roger, so I was really hoping at some point I could play against Novak to witness the highest possible level of anything. I'm really happy about that challenge.”

Djokovic is a record 40-time ATP Masters 1000 titlist and tied for the most Indian Wells triumphs with Roger Federer (5 each). What stands out the most about his game?

“His ball speed and ball quality are incredible. He can play any ball from any position,” Majchrzak said. “He's moving very well. He's just extremely precise and sometimes even robotic, like somebody plays PlayStation with him. So he was always extremely consistent. It is not easy to get the advantage against him.”

Majchrzak will take confidence into the match knowing he is World No. 57, just two places off his career-high No. 55 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The nine-time ATP Challenger Tour champion believed he has improved a lot of things, starting with his serve and playing more aggressively, especially in critical moments.

“My main focus in the practice [has been] to take more action into my hands and to play myself instead of letting the play go and just run and hit,” Majchrzak said. “Obviously, it goes up and down, but that's the direction we set with my coach, and probably that's one of the reasons I'm doing better and better.

“Normally, when it was getting close, I was letting the opponent decide and dictate the play. Now I'm trying to do the opposite, and many times it works, many times it doesn't. But that's our general target and goal: to be more aggressive."

Majchrzak began working with coach Christopher Kas in September 2024 when the Pole was well outside the Top 100. By focusing on not just understanding how to play in key situations but convincing Majchrzak to execute in those moments, Kas has helped his charge become a consistent presence on the ATP Tour, reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon and the third round of the US Open last year.

Now Majchrzak will try to upset 101-time tour-level champion Djokovic in one of the biggest matches of his career.

“I'm really excited that normally I just watch his matches just to see the matches,” Majchrzak said. “Now I will watch it carefully to prepare the strategy and to prepare what to do on court, and I will do my best to give him a hard time and possibly win.”

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