Carlos Alcaraz had a message for Jack Draper after his heartbreaking Indian Wells loss (Image: Getty)
had a message for after the Brit ended his three-year unbeaten run in Indian Wells. Alcaraz was on a 16-match winning streak at the tournament, lifting the title in 2023 and 2024. But Draper shocked him in the semi-final,
It was Draper’s second career victory over the world No. 3 – he also beat Alcaraz at the Queen’s Club last year. But Alcaraz enjoys facing the 23-year-old and is already looking forward to their next meeting, as he shared his wish to get “revenge”.
Alcaraz suffered a disappointing defeat in the Californian desert, being denied the chance to pick up a hat trick of titles. The Spaniard had not lost a match in Indian Wells since the 2022 semi-final until Draper sent him packing on Saturday evening.
It’s not the first time Alcaraz has been upset by a lower-ranked player at the tail end of a tournament. But the 21-year-old admitted that this loss hit harder than most.
“This one hurts. I don’t want to lose any match, but I think this one was even more special to me,” he said after the match.
However, that hasn’t stopped Alcaraz from supporting his rival and looking forward to their next meeting. The Spaniard is already keen to get revenge on Draper but, for now, he will be cheering the British No. 1 in the final.
Jack Draper is through to his first Masters 1000 final and is set to break the top 10 (Image: Getty)
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Draper shared a series of photos from the match to to celebrate his statement victory. “Huge respect to @carlitosalcarazz.. looking forward to many more battles!! Final tomorrow,” he wrote.
Alcaraz was quick to respond in the comments, showing there were no hard feelings after his heartbreaking defeat. “Can’t wait for the revenge! Good luck in the final!” he replied.
It’s not the first time the world No. 3 has publicly supported Draper. When the Brit had to retire from their fourth-round clash in January, Alcaraz
“You will be where you deserve. Get well soon Jack,” Alcaraz penned. And he’s already been proven right, as Draper is set to make his top 10 debut on Monday.
After Saturday’s semi-final, Alcaraz said: “I remember, you know, in January when I played him in Australia, he had to retire. I said, ‘You will be where you deserve’.
“And he deserve to be top 10. He deserves to play a final in the Masters 1000. I am happy about him because I didn’t doubt about his level, about himself.
“He’s ready to stay there for a long time. He’s ready to play for the big events, for the big tournaments. I [wasn’t] surprised about what I see today.
“Just it wasn’t an easy match for him, playing for the top 10, playing for the first Masters 1000 final, and I think he did great. He dealt with the nerves better than I did. So great to him and all the best in the final.”
Draper will face as he bids to win his biggest career title on Sunday. Rune already has plenty of experience at Masters tournaments – he won the Paris Masters title when he was a teenager back in 2022, and has reached two other finals at the top level.