Brit ace Jack Draper has done it! The 23-year-old tennis star put on a dazzling display to crush Denmark’s Holger Rune and claim his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells.
Draper, the new king of British tennis, stormed past a tearful Rune 6-2 6-2, barely breaking a sweat as he powered to victory.
The Danish star was left in pieces at the trophy ceremony, breaking down in tears as Draper lifted the biggest title of his career.
It was a dream week for the English left-hander, who had already stunned Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the semis. The win catapults Draper into the world’s top 10 – and he’ll now sit at No.7.
‘I’M INCREDIBLY PROUD’
Speaking after his triumph, Draper told the BBC: “I’m incredibly happy, obviously, and incredibly proud of my achievements this week.”
The Brit showed nerves of steel, sealing the title after Rune sent a return wide on championship point. Draper dropped to his knees, patting the court in quiet celebration before soaking in the moment with his team.
The victory marks yet another milestone for Britain’s rising star. Draper has long been tipped as the man to follow in the footsteps of Sir Andy Murray, and now he’s proved he belongs at the very top.
FROM TEEN PRODIGY TO WORLD No.7
Draper has battled setbacks in his career, with injuries threatening to hold him back. But the 2018 Wimbledon junior finalist has worked tirelessly to stay fit – and now it’s paying off.
Last summer, he bagged his first ATP Tour title in Stuttgart before reaching the US Open semis and winning in Vienna. Now, he joins an elite list of British stars to have won a Masters 1000 title – alongside legends like Murray and Tim Henman.
Reflecting on his rise, Draper said: “I feel I deserve it, the amount of adversity I’ve been through and the sacrifices – it is an emotional feeling to know how much you’ve gone through. To stand here and say I’ll be seventh in the world – I can’t say how much that means.”
‘A DAY HE’LL NEVER FORGET’
Tennis legend Tim Henman was full of praise, saying: “Absolutely brilliant performance. It’s been building, not just in this tournament but over the last weeks, months and years. He absolutely took Rune apart 6-2 6-2 to win his first Masters title, this is a day he will remember forever.”
Draper’s rise is no fluke – and with this kind of form, there’s no telling how far he can go. Could a Wimbledon win be next? Watch this space!
