Carlos Alcaraz predicted Jack Draper’s Indian Wells triumph two months before the Brit won his first Masters title.
Draper beat Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in the final on Sunday to cap a brilliant tournament for the 23-year-old.
AFPAlcaraz made a prediction for Draper after their Australian Open clash[/caption]
The British number one had already beaten Alcaraz and third seed Taylor Fritz earlier in the tournament.
His victory sealed the first ATP Masters 1000 event win of his career as well as securing a place in the world’s top 10.
Draper is now up to a career-high of seventh after a third professional title.
He has still only lost twice so far in 2025, with one of those coming against Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
Trailing by two sets, Draper was forced to retire through injury during their fourth round clash in Melbourne.
After the match, the Spaniard made a prediction for his opponent which has now come true.
Alcaraz wrote on the courtside TV camera: “You will be where you deserve. Get well soon Jack.”
Just two months on, Draper is celebrating a breakthrough victory on the ATP Tour.
Speaking after his win over Rune, he explained: “I said at the end of last year I wanted to be competing with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and all the players who are competing for big titles.
“It’s one thing saying it but it’s another thing doing it. To back up six matches here at the highest level against tough opponents is something I’ve been working hard to be able to achieve.”
Draper’s flying start to the year follows an impressive 2024, which saw him produce his best Grand Slam performance to date.
However, after reaching the semi-finals in New York, he was beaten in straight sets by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Already this year, he has won 13 matches and lost just twice, the first of which came when he withdrew against Alcaraz in Australia.
Draper’s only other defeat this year was in the final of the Qatar Open in February.
He was beaten 5-7, 7-5, 1-6 by Alexander Rublev at the ATP 500 event last month.
His attention will now turn to this week’s next ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Florida.
Draper is set to compete in the Miami Open, where he is the sixth seed.
The likes of Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will also be involved, with the event getting underway on Tuesday.
