Kamil Majchrzak aims to turn experience of facing Novak Djokovic into confident week at Phoenix Challenger

PHOENIX—Planes, trains and automobiles. When it comes to travel, tennis players most frequently need to rely on the first two modes of transportation to get to their next tournament.

But for those opting to compete at the ATP Challenger Tour stop in Phoenix during the second week of the BNP Paribas Open, hitting the open road is a viable option. A drive through the desert on I-10 is a trip Kamil Majchrzak was happy to make.

“I came here with my coach, wife and physio. We definitely are not quiet,” he tells TENNIS.com ahead of his Arizona Tennis Classic opener. “We have some nice playlists with different type of music. We talk and joke a lot. Otherwise the trip might get boring. It was fun. At Indian Wells we were all driving a bit, but here my coach took this responsibility on.”

Three days ago, the Pole found himself up a set on Novak Djokovic in their first head-to-head meeting. While going from battling the 24-time major champion on Stadium 1 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden to walking around the grounds of the tranquil Phoenix Country Club presents an immediate contrasting change in scenery, Majchrzak has plenty at stake to play for this week with a 4-6 start to 2026.

“It’s a great opportunity for all of us to get extra matches and extra points. It’s still the beginning of the season and not everyone plays a lot of matches in the first parts. Matches are priceless,” he says of the Challenger 175, the highest level of competition on the tour.

“This feels like a 250 event more than a Challenger. I played a good match against Novak, I believe I could still do a little more, but that’s always your feeling after, It was a great experience for me and I believe I will get a lot of confidence from that match. I will try to show it here.”

I still believe I have a couple of years ahead of me, just like Novak!

Last month, Majchrzak hit his career-high ranking of No. 55 at age 30. When asked to describe how he sees the game now, compared to a decade ago as a young gun trying to break through, the difference that stands out is his state of mind.

“I’m still getting more relaxed on court, which allows me to use more of my abilities, making my opponents’ life difficult on court. So I believe what I’m looking for is this calmness so I can use my skills as much as possible,” Majchrzak explains.

“Which, at the age of 20, wasn’t as obvious for me. That’s the biggest change. I play much more aggressive and have much more play in my hands. I still believe I have a couple of years ahead of me, just like Novak!”

Majchrzak, of course, went viral for all the right reasons at last year’s US Open. Having learned that the hat he intended for a young fan named Brock to receive was snatched by the CEO of a Polish paving company following a memorable five-set win over ninth seed Karen Khachanov, he used the power of social media to gift the boy a new hat in person.

As terrific as that kind gesture was, Majchrzak hopes what he brings to the court can be a conversation starter, too.

“I’m just happy at the very end I could help make it up to the kid. I would still prefer people would come say, ‘great win in round two,’” he notes.

Following in the footsteps of recent Phoenix champions Joao Fonseca and Nuno Borges over the next five days would be one way to help that cause. Seeded sixth, Majchrzak begins his bid against Nikolaz Basilashvili.

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