Jack Draper welcomes ‘Victory at Age’ at Indian Wells as Tim Henman indicates Maiden ATP 1000 Masters Title ‘Great Statement’

Jack Draper welcomed the appearance of “Upcoming” after explicitly broke through in the finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

British no. 1 launched Rune Holger in straight sets, 6-2 6-2, in just 68 minutes to secure a maiden ATP Masters 1000 title.

Draper quickly started, breaking Runes in the introductory game, then again did so on his next attempt on the road to the first set in half an hour. Then there was a break again at the first opportunity in set two as he rose to victory.

“I didn’t expect that at the beginning of the week,” Draper said Sky Sports. “I had a rocky start of the year with an injury, so now I’m in this position is out of word.

“I talk a lot with my coach about these later rounds in the tournaments. In the past, I lost the games because I went passive and did not take him to the opponent and played under my conditions and played for victory.

“By playing the way I did it from the first ball, look for my forehand, serve well, that’s a good time for your game.”

Since the victory on Monday raised the drapera to the career high seventh on the world rankings, he added: “I feel like I deserve it honestly.

“The amount of trouble I went through, the amount of sacrifice, the amount of time all the people around me invested in me and hard work.

“It is an emotional feeling to know how much you have passed and put on and be here now, to say that I go to seven in the world, I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”

Draper continued, “I want to be a top player, I want to continue to improve myself, but somehow I do hard and see what comes because my dream does what I do.

“Playing on big stages against the best players in the world, have the possibilities I have. Winning these big tournaments is an additional bonus.”

‘Dan Draper will remember forever’

The double finalist of Indian Wells Tim Henman said Draper brought a “statement” victory that would live long in the memory of a British player.

“Absolutely great performance,” Henman said Sky Sports tennis. “This is being built, not only in this tournament, but in recent weeks, months and years.

“It was great to see Jack going out and throws out in a tournament in which he didn’t have the easiest draw.

“He absolutely separated Rune 6-2 6-2 to win his first Masters title, this is a day that will remember forever.”

Henman added, “Looking at the match as it goes, it was in one direction.

“When he had none of the physical problems, he was able to perform his game plan then. He beat someone like Runa in direct sets is a big statement.”

See ATP and WTA Tours, as well as US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports 2025 or Streak with now AND Sky Sports appProviding Sky Sports customers more than 50 percent more live sports this year at no additional costs. Find out more here.