Jack Draper achieved a remarkable milestone at the 2025 Indian Wells tournament, defeating reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz and then Holger Rune to secure his first ATP Masters 1000 title. Draper’s victory signifies not only his ascent within the rankings but also his emergence as a formidable competitor on the ATP tour.
On March 17, Draper faced Alcaraz in the semifinals, winning with scores of 6-1, 0-6, and 6-4. This hard-fought battle included dramatic momentum shifts and was defined by controversy stemming from video review technology. Tied at one set each, both players found themselves embroiled in a pivotal point when Alcaraz executed a drop shot, which the umpire initially deemed out of reach for Draper. After appealing the call, video review confirmed Draper reached the ball before its second bounce, leading to his momentum shift and key victory over the defending champion, Alcaraz, who was trying to hold on to his title.
The young British star moved fluently through the final against Rune, concluding the match with another emphatic performance, winning 6-2, 6-2. Draper capitalized on his serve and pressured Rune effectively to take home the coveted title on March 16. Notably, the only set he dropped during the tournament came from his encounter with Alcaraz, underlining the intensity of his path to triumph.
Following his success, Draper expressed his elation at breaking through the top ten of the ATP rankings, reaching as high as seventh globally. “It feels unbelievable,” Draper stated to Sky Sports, reflecting on his persistence after facing numerous injuries and setbacks. “I’ve been through so much the last few years.” His focus remains sharp as he prepares for the Miami Open, where he holds the sixth seed.
Across this remarkable tournament run, Draper has now achieved three titles, holding only two losses for the year—one to Alcaraz and another to Alexander Rublev at the Qatar Open. A historic start to 2025 has placed him third on the Race to the ATP Finals leaderboard.
The excitement surrounding Draper’s win extended to tennis veteran Boris Becker, who took to social media to warn Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Alexander Zverev, saying, “I like @jackdraper0... A beast on the tennis court!” Becker indicated the rising threat Draper poses on the ATP tour.
Draper’s triumph at Indian Wells has certainly turned heads and suggests he might be more than just another player breaking through; he could very well be one to watch for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz’s earlier round loss remains fresh on his mind. Although the Spaniard acknowledged the impact of the video review termed as necessary, he asserted it did not alter the outcome of his performance. “It’s definitely positive for tennis, but it can be disruptive,” Alcaraz remarked, hinting at the rare occasion where technology influenced gameplay.
The Indian Wells event itself has drawn increasing attention for its integration of technology, and this match has reignited debates over how video reviews are utilized. The industry has agreed on the need for fairness, yet the effectiveness and execution of such tools continue to be questioned.
Rune, after his own defeat by Draper, expressed humble commendation of his competitor's skill and predilection for success. “Draper was on it this week and deserves the title here,” he communicated, reflecting both sportsmanship and acknowledgement of the fierce competition.
Overall, this year has certainly witnessed Jack Draper, the British No. 1, making waves on the court. His determination and newly found momentum could signal the era of the next great champion, posing tough challenges not only for Alcaraz but for the entire ATP circuit.
