Jack Draper stormed to his first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, but his final win over Holger Rune was not without controversy.
Draper thinks he is still far from Jannik Sinner after winning in California, despite the huge success and a rise to seventh on the ATP Tour.
British number one Draper started by beating Joao Fonseca, before edging past American trio Jenson Brooksby, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton.
He then defeated two-time Indian Wells defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final, before a 6-2, 6-2 final win over Rune.
Draper is now a three-time ATP Tour champion, and currently occupies his best-ever place in the world rankings.
Tennis fans want kit rule change after Jack Draper and Holger Rune Indian Wells final
But many fans were left frustrated about a key factor during the match, whereby both players were wearing the same shirt.
Noting the issue, Ben Rothenberg wrote on X: “The tennis rulebooks need a rule against identical outfits, this is a blight on the sport.”
And many tennis fans were quick to concur, with one saying “Totally agree” and another replying “Absolutely agree – anything that makes following the sport harder is a negative.”
Another fan wrote on X: “Tennis beef. Don’t Nike have alternative colours so that Draper and Rune could not play in identical outfits? Why don’t tennis broadcasters demand this?”
And another frustrated viewer said: “So annoying that Draper & Rune wearing same outfits, having to keep rechecking who is who.”
Further frustration arrived from James Gray, who said: “Me: ‘Great! A British player in a big final on a Sunday night! Maybe people will find out how great he is and tennis won’t be a totally sideshow!’
Also me: ‘They are both wearing their caps backwards and the exact same outfit. What an incredible own goal’.”
Tennis may have lost a few fans after Indian Wells final criticism
Draper and Rune did have different coloured shorts on, while the former plays left-handed and the latter plays right-handed.
But different coloured shirts would have been an easy and helpful addition to the match, particularly with it being a very significant final.
Players do, of course, look very similar at Wimbledon when wearing all-white, but tournaments should be doing their utmost to avoid such confusion where possible.
Nike will likely take the criticism into consideration for future tournaments, or would at least be wise to do so, but for now tennis may have just lost one or two fans after the latest Indian Wells final.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
