Jack Draper has become only the second British player in history to win the Indian Wells singles title after beating Holger Rune in the final.
Draper won Indian Wells in impressive fashion, after beating Rune in the final for the loss of just two games.
This was quite contrasting to his semi-final match, where Draper outlasted Carlos Alcaraz in difficult conditions to end the Spaniard’s 16-match winning streak at Indian Wells.
Not only was the weather a factor in that match, but Draper and Alcaraz also debated a call made by the umpire in the deciding set.
Jack Draper admits what was strange about match against Carlos Alcaraz
It was a very back and forth semi-final between Draper and Alcaraz, with the Brit eventually coming out on top after winning, 6-1 0-6 6-4.
Draper took himself to the toilet for a break after losing the second set to Alcaraz in convincing fashion, and appeared to still be thinking about the semi-final following his title victory.
When speaking to Sky Sports on court after the match, Draper spoke about the nerves he felt against Alcaraz and how he tried to combat that as much as possible for his final with Rune.
“It was strange what happened yesterday,” admitted Draper. “I hadn’t experienced that nervous energy sapping my energy for a long time.
“I knew that could be a factor today, there was maybe going to be a few nerves. So it was important for me to come out playing the way I wanted to play with lots of energy and also know Holger would be feeling that as well, so I am so proud of the way I handled the moment today.”
Draper was able to maintain his level throughout against Rune, dropping just four games in the final that lasted one hour and 10 minutes.
Jack Draper says what his goals are after winning first Masters 1000 title
With it being an ATP Masters 1000 event, Indian Wells is Draper’s third and biggest title of his young career so far.
Despite achieving this milestone, Draper was trying not to get too far ahead of himself and suggested that he did not have any particular results based goals in mind going forward.
“It sounds strange. I am someone who doesn’t really set any goals,” claimed Draper. “I want to be a top player and keep on improving but I kind of just work hard and see what comes.
“My dream is honestly just doing what I am doing, to play on the big stages and compete against the big players in the world and doing what I am doing. Winning is just an added bonus.”
Although he is not targeting anything in particular, Draper will have a new status on the ATP Tour after his Indian Wells victory.
After beating the likes of Rune, Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz in the Californian desert, Draper will now rise into the top 10 for the first time at world number seven.
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