Andy Murray’s former coach makes prediction about Jack Draper after he wins the Indian Wells title

Follow us on Google Discover

Andy Murray solely carried the burden of British men’s tennis for several years, but Jack Draper has now taken over from him expertly.

Draper still thinks he can improve, despite beating the likes of Carlos Alcaraz en route to the Indian Wells title.

Tim Henman thinks Draper can win Grand Slams after his success in California, where he beat Holger Rune in the final.

The British number one defeated the Dane 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event, with Alcaraz beaten in the semi-finals.

Draper also knocked out home trio Taylor Fritz, Jenson Brooksby and Ben Shelton during his phenomenal run, along with rising star Joao Fonseca.

Jack Draper predicted to win many more ATP Masters 1000 titles

He has now risen to seventh in the ATP Tour rankings after the title, a career-high for the 23-year-old Briton.

And the success has caught the eye of Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey, who has congratulated the latest champion and has made a big prediction for his future.

READ MORE: Iga Swiatek tells story of what happened when she watched Andy Murray train once and says she ‘doesn’t judge’ him for it

“Congrats to Jack Draper,” he wrote on X. “Didn’t have the luck of the draw but didn’t need it. Many Masters 1000s to come. Class.”

Draper not having the luck of the draw is an understatement, with second seed Alcaraz and third seed Fritz among those beaten by the 13th seed.

What was the head-to-head record between Jack Draper and Andy Murray?

Murray was the main man in British tennis for several years, with the Scot winning three Grand Slam titles during his fantastic career.

There may have been a few fans really worried about what the future of the sport in the nation would look like after his retirement last summer, but Draper has immediately put an end to that.

READ MORE: A look back at possibly the toughest ATP tournament of all time where Roger Federer was forced to play Andy Murray in the first round

The youngster is now a three-time ATP Tour champion, with his Indian Wells success following victories in Stuttgart and Vienna in 2024.

He has now broken the top 10, climbing a huge seven places in the world rankings, with Grand Slam success perhaps now the priority.

Draper will, of course, be eager to continue rising the standings, but a maiden Grand Slam title would be the biggest statement he could make at this exciting stage of his career.

He met Murray just once before the Scot decided to hang up his racket, with Draper winning their Indian Wells round of 32 battle in 2023.