Jack Draper has progressed to the last 16 of Indian Wells after beating American Jenson Brooksby in straight sets.
This game perhaps wasn’t as comprehensive as it sounds. Brooksby is a talented player and having made a return to the ATP Tour, he’s keen to make up for some lost time.
Draper was professional throughout this clash, however, and came through 7-5, 6-4 to ensure his first round victory over Joao Fonseca was in complete vain.
It’s been a somewhat rough start to 2025 for the Great Britain number one. Although he reached the fourth round, he came through three five-set matches before retiring against Carlos Alcaraz.
Every month is a chance to learn at the moment, however. At 23-years-old, he’s finally closing in on the top 10 in the world rankings and this year might be the year he breaks into that elite group of players.
Jack Draper shares what has helped his confidence this year
Playing one five-set match is hard enough but doing three in quick succession at a tournament where the heat is as intense as it is in Australia is a thankless task.
However, he actually thinks that ordeal put him in good stead for the rest of the year and he’s now feeling in good physical shape at Indian Wells.
He said in his on-court interview after beating Brooksby: “In Australia, I wasn’t ready to play there at all. Coming through those really long matches was something I needed for my confidence.
“I wasn’t too sure how much I could push my body past that 3 and a half hour, 4 hour mark. To win back to back to back 5 set matches, not many people have done that. That gives me confidence in my mind and body. That was kind of the last piece of the puzzle.”
Draper can bring major title to Great Britain just like Andy Murray
The big-serving British performer is going to be eyeing glory at a big tournament just like Murray did on three occasions and there is no reason why he can’t emulate him.
Last year he got to the last four of the US Open and that took a lot of out of him physically, with the player looking absolutely spent in his semi-final clash.
Playing five sets at these big tournaments is all new for Draper though and the challenge is to keep fit, continue playing and keep learning his trade on the tour.
Murray was truly special. Draper has all of the shot too, however, and there is no reason why he can’t bring a major title back to Great Britain at some point in the future.
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