Greg Rusedski suggests the target Jack Draper should give himself at Indian Wells this year

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Jack Draper returns to Indian Wells in 2026 as the defending champion.

But few expect him to retain his title.

In fact, just 2% of TalkingPoints fans back him to win Indian Wells.

Still finding his footing after a long injury lay-off, what can Draper expect to achieve at Indian Wells?

During the latest episode of ‘Off Court Cuts‘, Greg Rusedski suggested what Draper should target in California.

Jack Draper should target ‘back-to-back wins’ at Indian Wells – Greg Rusedski

“[Jack] Draper, if he wins one or two matches, that would be a great result,” said Rusedski.

“When you’ve been away for seven months, to come out and defend a title, you’ve got to be healthy, you’ve got to be fit.

“So for me, if he can win back-to-back matches, this would be a great way to start Indian Wells, having been off for such a long period of time.”

Rusedski thinks a run to the third or fourth round would be a ‘great result’ for Draper in Indian Wells, but surely the Brit will be hoping for more.

Dropping 1,000 points from his title win in 2025, Draper currently sits 29th in the Live ATP Rankings.

Live ATP Rankings

Having been ranked as high as fourth in the world last season, Draper will want to avoid such a drop.

A quarterfinal or semifinal appearance at Indian Wells could keep Draper in and around the top 20 and maintain his status as the British number one.

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?

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If he can play like he did last year, there’s no reason why he can’t make another deep run.

What happened to Jack Draper after Indian Wells last year?

Draper took down some of the biggest names in men’s tennis en route to his maiden Masters 1000 title last year.

Jack Draper at Indian Wells in 2025

• 2025 Indian Wells 2R [WIN] vs Joao Fonseca, 6-4, 6-0
• 2025 Indian Wells 3R [WIN] vs Jenson Brooksby, 7-5, 6-4
• 2025 Indian Wells 4R [WIN] vs Taylor Fritz, 7-5, 6-4
• 2025 Indian Wells QF [WIN] vs Ben Shelton, 6-4, 7-5
• 2025 Indian Wells SF [WIN] vs Carlos Alcaraz, 6-1, 0-6, 6-4
• 2025 Indian Wells F [WIN] vs Holger Rune, 6-2, 6-2

Carrying that momentum forward, Draper reached his second Masters 1000 final shortly after, in Madrid.

Despite coming up short, he proved his talents on what had been deemed his weakest surface.

Unfortunately, things soon unravelled for Draper as he left clay for grass.

Draper lost in the semifinals of Queen’s and the second round of Wimbledon, before taking a break due to injury.

He attempted a comeback in New York, but was forced to withdraw after his first-round win.

Struggling with a bone bruise, Draper missed the remainder of the season and wasn’t fit to return for the Australian Open in January.

Instead, Draper sat on the sidelines until Great Britain travelled to Norway for the Davis Cup.

There, Draper defeated Viktor Durasovic in straight sets, picking up his first win since August.

The former world number four then withdrew from the Rotterdam Open, before heading to the Middle East for the Dubai Tennis Championships.

He defeated Quentin Halys in his opener, 7-6, 6-3, but didn’t fare so well against another Frenchman in round two.

Draper lost to Arthur Rinderknech, 5-7, 7-6, 4-6.

Having won 29 matches between January and July last year, Draper has won only three since.

Whether he can add a few more wins to his tally in California remains to be seen.

Draper will begin his Indian Wells campaign against Fabian Marozsan or Roberto Bautista Agut this weekend.