British No 1 Jack Draper has claimed the biggest victory of his career by delivering a straight-sets demolition of Denmark’s Holger Rune at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament. Draper won decisively with a score of 6-2, 6-2 in just 68 minutes, securing his maiden ATP 1000 Masters title at the BNP Paribas Open final. This impressive performance will propel the 23-year-old to a career-high ranking of world No 7, marking a significant leap from his previous position of 14th.
Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Draper described the match as a “coming-of-age” performance. He showcased his talent and composure by breaking Rune’s serve early, securing a quick lead as he took the first set in only 30 minutes. Continuing his momentum, Draper broke serve again in the second set at the earliest opportunity, maintaining control throughout the match.
“I wasn’t expecting it at the start of the week,” Draper confessed in an interview with Sky Sports. “I had a rocky start to the year with an injury, so to be in this position now is beyond words.” His candid admission indicates the challenges he has faced, making this victory all the more meaningful.
Draper acknowledged that his past experiences had taught him valuable lessons about maintaining aggression in high-stakes matches. “I speak to my coach a lot about these later rounds in tournaments,” he explained. “I’ve lost matches in the past because I’ve gone passive and haven’t taken it to the opponent and played on my terms.” His proactive mindset and determination to dictate play were evident as he executed his game plan flawlessly.
With his newfound success, Draper expressed a deep sense of accomplishment. “I feel like I deserve it in all honesty,” he shared. The growth he has achieved, both on and off the court, has been a result of perseverance, sacrifices, and the dedication of those who support him. “It’s an emotional feeling to know how much you’ve gone through and put in,” he continued, reflecting on the hard work that has led him to this moment. “To say I’m going to seven in the world, I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”
Despite reaching a significant milestone, Draper remains focused on the journey ahead rather than fixating on specific rankings or events. “I’m not really thinking about any outcomes, ranking-wise or events-wise,” he declared. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of consistent effort. “Setting goals and saying you’re going to do something, it’s important to believe it but if you’re not putting in the work… then you’re not going to achieve anything.”
Draper’s ambition is evident as he aspires to become a “great player,” driven by a passion for the sport. “I want to keep improving, but I kind of work hard and see what comes because my dream is doing what I’m doing.” Acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, he expressed determination to continue pushing his limits.
Having triumphed at Indian Wells, Draper feels a renewed sense of confidence and motivation as he moves forward in his career. “It feels incredible to win here,” he remarked. He has long admired this tournament and the champions who have graced its courts, making his victory even more significant. “To be able to be a champion here means the world to me,” he added.
The achievement of winning his first Masters title, along with breaking into the top 10, has bolstered his self-belief. “It’s definitely a big moment for me,” he shared, recognizing the implications this victory will have on his future performances. “I came in today knowing this is a final,” he concluded. “In truth, I felt kind of a bit nervous before I played but when I got out on the court, I felt amazing. I felt like I was in control.” His composure under pressure sets a promising tone for Draper as he continues to chase his dreams on the ATP tour.
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