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Holger Rune says what he spotted about Carlos Alcaraz in his defeat to Jack Draper at Indian Wells which he wants to learn from

Jack Draper of Great Britain shakes hands at the net after his three set victory against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in their Semifinal round match dur...
Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/Patrick T. Fallon / AFP
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Holger Rune was beaten in the Indian Wells final by Jack Draper, who backed up his semi-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz.

Rune and Draper made history by reaching the final in the Californian desert, but it was the latter who dominated from the first ball.

This backed up his semi-final performance, where Draper beat Alcaraz, who was the two-time defending champion at the time.

Despite both players losing to Draper, Rune has suggested that Alcaraz did something better than he did in the final.

BNP Paribas Open - Final Day
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Holger Rune says what he wants to learn from Carlos Alcaraz after Indian Wells final defeat

Rune beat Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semi-finals, but when speaking in his post-final press conference declared that his match with Draper was completely different.

The Dane also revealed his hope to return to the same player that beat Novak Djokovic in the Paris Masters final in 2022, drawing inspiration from Carlos Alcaraz’s approach against Draper.

“For sure against Medvedev was completely different match, but I think what I thought straightaway after the match today was do you remember how I played in Paris 2022? I told myself that. And I answered to myself, yes, and that’s how I want to play,” explained Rune.

“That was way more committed to my tennis. You know, I think when I was stressed there, my reaction was to step more in and come more to the net and be even more aggressive. Now my reaction was, okay, I’m stressed, I’m going to fall three meters behind the baseline.

“You know, a player like Jack who is full of confidence, just beat Carlos yesterday, you cannot give him this time to play, and he’s going to make you move side to side and going to hit winners.

“I think in my mind it’s very clear what I need to practise on the next day and what I have to do better in Miami. It’s really to play way more aggressive.

“I think actually seeing Alcaraz play yesterday was — you know, of course it was unfortunate for him, but, you know, I kind of like the way that he lost that match in a way, because he went out swinging.

‘You know, he’s so committed to his game, and I think that’s the reason why he’s 21 and with four Grand Slam titles and a bunch of Masters titles, I think that’s because he’s so committed to his game style, and the same, Sinner has done well, and I think this week that’s what Jack has been doing incredibly well.”

YearMasters 1000 TournamentFinal Result
2022Paris MastersRune beat Novak Djokovic, 3-6 6-3 7-5
2023Monte Carlo MastersAndrey Rublev beat Rune, 5-7 6-2 7-5
2023Italian OpenDaniil Medvedev beat Rune, 7-5 7-5
2025Indian WellsJack Draper beat Rune, 6-2 6-2

Novak Djokovic reacts to Jack Draper winning Indian Wells

After winning the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells, Draper has received a big reaction including from 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.

In a worldless Instagram story, Djokovic sent two clapping emojis in reaction to British number one Draper’s triumph.

Novak Djokovic applauds Jack Draper on Instagram after he beats Holger Rune to win Indian Wells.

It was a much less successful tournament for Djokovic, who lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in his only match at Indian Wells this year.

This has continued his poor form since the Australian Open, with Djokovic making unwanted history due to his recent losing streak.

Next up for Djokovic is the Miami Open, where he is a record six-time champion, but has not competed since 2019.