Jack Draper makes claim about Emma Raducanu and British tennis after he reaches the Indian Wells quarter-finals

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Jack Draper has reached the Indian Wells quarter-finals for the first time in his career after beating Taylor Fritz.

Draper was praised by Fritz prior to their match, as he went onto beat his American opponent for a second consecutive meeting in their head-to-head.

The 23-year-old has impressed at the first Masters 1000 tournament of the year, with Draper beating Joao Fonseca and Jenson Brooksby.

This is his third appearance at Indian Wells, with Draper beating compatriot Andy Murray on his tournament debut in 2023.

Jack Draper makes claim about Emma Raducanu and British tennis

Draper is currently the British number one, and could reach a new career-high ranking if progresses to the semi-finals.

After his victory over Fritz, Draper was asked about what he likes about British tennis and what he thinks could perhaps improve.

In his response, Draper named himself and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu as two potential players that can lead the way, but suggested that other nations have a better tennis culture.

“Yeah, I mean, I think England, we obviously have Wimbledon. That’s, you know, one of the biggest sporting events in the world,” said Draper. “I’d say for three weeks of the year we are massively into tennis.

“I think we have been extremely fortunate obviously to have Andy Murray and other players who have really, you know, shown me the way and inspired me to be a top player in myself.

“I’d say our actual culture for tennis isn’t huge in the UK. Obviously other tennis nations, you know, I think have it better with Italy and Spain and France.

“They love tennis a lot more than we do as a nation, but I think, you know, hopefully with what’s to come with the grass and hopefully players like myself and Emma and other top players coming through that we can really put on a good show and inspire a lot of people to play.”

How have British singles players performed at Indian Wells this year?

It has been a mixed bag for British tennis at Indian Wells this year, with Raducanu losing in the first round to Moyuka Uchijima.

While WTA British number one Katie Boulter saw her 2025 Indian Wells campaign come to an end at the hands of former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

The surprise package for British women at Indian Wells this year came in the form of Sonay Kartal, who found herself in the main draw as a lucky loser.

Kartal took advantage of this and made it all the way to the last-16, eventually losing out to world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Draper has led the way for British men, and will take on another American in Ben Shelton for a place in the semi-finals.