Indian Wells: How Jack Draper got through ‘groundhog day’ to become Masters 1,000 champion

Draper’s rise over the past year has been steady.

His first trophy came on the Stuttgart grass in June last year, followed by an ATP 500 hard-court title in Vienna in October.

His run to the US Open semi-finals captured the attention of the wider British public, although his nerves were illustrated by vomiting on court in a defeat by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.

Draper began seeing a “breathing coach” to help solve the issue, and he pointed to the way he came through the third set against Alcaraz as an example of his improved composure.

“I had a few doubts before the Indian Wells final wondering if would feel the same things – but I didn’t,” he said.

“I was really strong and focused on my breathing and things I could control. That’s what I was really proud of.”

The next step from Masters champion is a logical one – becoming a Grand Slam champion.

Winning Indian Wells is no guarantee of future major success but as Dominic Thiem, Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu have shown, coming through a 96-player field of the very best opponents is a strong indicator.

Hard courts have been Draper’s most successful surface so far, but the next two majors are on the French Open clay-courts and Wimbledon grass.

So far he has struggled on clay, but his improved footwork should help, while the increasingly dangerous serve and groundstrokes look suited to grass-court success.

“I still feel I have a lot to prove on the clay,” Draper added.

“I didn’t get it going last year, but I don’t see why I can’t be pushing the best players on that surface.

“As for grass, I feel my game has improved massively since last year.”