Jack Draper is on the verge of making a remarkable leap in the ATP Rankings following his stellar performance at the Indian Wells Masters. Draper’s ascendancy into the top ten appears imminent, courtesy of his absolute mastery on the court.
In his opening match at what is fondly known as ‘Tennis Paradise,’ Draper put on a show of excellence by effortlessly defeating upcoming talent Joao Fonseca. He kept up the momentum with a thrilling 7-5, 6-4 triumph over Jenson Brooksby, which saw him advance into the last-16.
The 13th seed Draper has been inching closer to making his debut in the ATP top ten, and his current position at No. 12 in the live rankings suggests that the wait is almost over. Though he would need to reach the final of the ongoing tournament to crack the top 10 for the first time, a strong performance at Indian Wells could significantly boost his chances of making it to the elite list of men’s tennis at the Miami Open later this month.
Last year, Draper’s journey in Miami ended in the second round, presenting him with an excellent opportunity this year to earn valuable ranking points. However, his focus remains on the present, with Indian Wells being his primary concern.
Draper’s performance at Indian Wells this year has been nothing short of impressive, and his post-match comments reflect a player brimming with confidence. “I still have a lot of work to do,” Draper confessed. “Sometimes, the ball doesn’t come off my racket as I intend, but I accept that and strive for improvement.”
Draper expressed his satisfaction with his game’s trajectory, indicating that he finally found his rhythm and plans to keep improving. Despite injuries slowing him down, he remained persistent, focusing on physical conditioning and enhancing his on-court quality and consistency.
Tim Henman, the former British No.1, is confident that Draper is on track to reach the pinnacle of the game. Henman expressed his belief that Draper would not only break into the top 10 but would also manage to maintain his position. Reflecting on Draper’s growth, Henman attributed his progress to his mental strength and rigorous training.
Henman also talked about the importance of experience in long matches, saying, “When you have been through the process a few times, you begin to understand how to cope mentally, which significantly aids physical response.”
When asked to predict Draper’s ranking by the end of the year, Henman unhesitatingly said, “Top 10, for sure.” He also didn’t rule out the possibility of Draper qualifying for the ATP Finals. “He’s an outsider, maybe, but that’s where the conversation about Jack is headed.”
With Draper’s potential being the center of conversation, it will be exciting to see how far he will go. As Henman put it, “We won’t have to wait long to find out.”