GB's Draper beats Rune to win Indian Wells title
Britain's Jack Draper claimed the biggest title of his career with an assured win over Denmark's Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final.
Draper, 23, was dominant from the start as he brushed aside world number 13 Rune in a 6-2 6-2 victory.
Lifting his first trophy at an ATP Masters event - the tier below the four Grand Slam tournaments - capped a landmark weekend for the British number one.
After beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in Saturday's semi-finals, 14th-ranked Draper was already assured of climbing into the world's top 10 for the first time - whatever happened against 21-year-old Rune.
The straight-set victory means the English left-hander will move up to seventh in the ATP rankings on Monday.
"It is an incredible feeling," Draper told Sky Sports.
"I have put in a lot of work over time and I'm so grateful to be out here, with my body healthy and feeling great in the mind.
"It feels like it is all coming together on the big stage."
After sending a forehand long on his first championship point, Draper completed the job at the second attempt when Rune pushed a return wide with the Briton rushing to the net.
The US Open semi-finalist celebrated in composed fashion - smiling towards his support team, before kneeling down on court and patting the surface.
From talented teenager to top 10 in world
Ever in his junior days, Draper was identified as the player most likely to take over the mantle from three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray as Britain's leading star on the ATP Tour.
Over the past 12 months he has got there - but it has not been a journey without hurdles.
A series of physical issues hampered Draper's progress in his early days as a professional, but he has continued to keep working hard in a bid to find solutions.
Managing to stay fit over the past two seasons has been the key - and it has paid dividends.
Days after becoming the British number one for the first time last year, his maiden tour title came at an ATP 250 grass-court event in Stuttgart.
Since then he has continued to climb each rung of the ladder.
In October, just a month after reaching the first Grand Slam semi-final of his career in New York, he lifted another title at the hard-court ATP 500 tournament in Vienna.
Now he has become only the fifth British player to win a Masters event at the Californian tournament widely known as the sport's fifth major.
"I feel I deserve it, the amount of adversity I've been through and the sacrifices - it is an emotional feeling to know much you've gone through," Draper said.
"To stand here and say I'll be seventh in the world - I can't say how much that means."
Topics
-
Draper beats Rune to win Indian Wells title
Britain's Jack Draper claims the biggest title of his career with a straight-set win over Denmark's Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final.BBC News - 10h -
Draper beats Rune in Indian Wells final - highlights
Great Britain's Jack Draper claims the biggest title of his career with a straight-sets win over Denmark's Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final.BBC News - 50m -
Draper powers past Rune to win Indian Wells ATP Masters
Britain's Jack Draper roared past Denmark's Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday to win his first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells.Draper, who claimed his two prior ATP titles in 2024, said his ...Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Jack Draper dismantles Holger Rune to claim Indian Wells title
Briton now world No 7 after 6-2, 6-2 victory Mirra Andreeva, 17, beats Sabalenka for women’s crown In the aftermath of the most brilliant win of his career, Saturday’s grimy, gutsy three-set ...The Guardian - 10h -
Jack Draper beats Holger Rune at Indian Wells for a first Masters 1000 title and a top-10 debut
Jack Draper overwhelmed Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in a little more than an hour in the final of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, achieving two big milestones by claiming his first Masters 1000 title and ...Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Jack Draper ‘deserves’ new career high after winning Indian Wells title
Draper defeated Holger Rune 6-2 6-2 to win his first ATP 1000 title and will move up to No 7 in the world on MondayYahoo Sports - 10h -
‘A coming of age for me’: Jack Draper takes biggest title of career in Indian Wells
Jack Draper became the fifth British male to land a Masters 1000 title as he cruised past a demoralised Holger Rune – who broke down in tears at the presentation ceremony – for the loss of just ...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Rune shocks Medvedev to reach Indian Wells ATP final
Denmark's Holger Rune beat Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4 to reach the Indian Wells ATP Masters final on Saturday, denying the Russian world number six a third straight trip to the title match.He gained ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Holger Rune vs. Jack Draper Livestream: How to Watch the Indian Wells Men’s Tennis Final Online Free
The winner of this match will win the BNP Paribas Open title for the first timeYahoo Sports - 13h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Report: Newcastle eye versatile attacker for transfer, Isak plans laid bare
Newcastle are keeping a close eye on Randal Kolo Muani as a possible replacement for Alexander Isak, according to reports from Italy.The club recently claimed victory in the Carabao Cup – their ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Fight over planned redevelopment of White Stadium by Boston NWSL continues with trial
Boston’s NWSL club, which recently announced it is changing its name after a negative response to its first attempt, is now hoping for a different type of win in court this week. On Tuesday, the ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
How Louisville and Kentucky basketball experience compare to recent NCAA Tournament teams
Louisville and Kentucky basketball are top-10 in KenPom's experience rankings. How do they compare to successful NCAA Tournament teams of years past?Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Kentucky good with NCAA draw, Louisville not so much
Selection Sunday left the teams-coaches of greatest interest to us here in the Bluegrass with some mixed feelings as the NCAA Tournament draw was revealed. Kentucky as a three seed has a path in ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
March Madness 2025 will include these former Kentucky high school basketball stars
There's no shortage of Kentuckians who'll participate in March Madness. Here are 21 players from the commonwealth to follow during NCAA tournaments.Yahoo Sports - 15m
More in Sports
-
Report: Newcastle eye versatile attacker for transfer, Isak plans laid bare
Newcastle are keeping a close eye on Randal Kolo Muani as a possible replacement for Alexander Isak, according to reports from Italy.The club recently claimed victory in the Carabao Cup – their ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Fight over planned redevelopment of White Stadium by Boston NWSL continues with trial
Boston’s NWSL club, which recently announced it is changing its name after a negative response to its first attempt, is now hoping for a different type of win in court this week. On Tuesday, the ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
How Louisville and Kentucky basketball experience compare to recent NCAA Tournament teams
Louisville and Kentucky basketball are top-10 in KenPom's experience rankings. How do they compare to successful NCAA Tournament teams of years past?Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Kentucky good with NCAA draw, Louisville not so much
Selection Sunday left the teams-coaches of greatest interest to us here in the Bluegrass with some mixed feelings as the NCAA Tournament draw was revealed. Kentucky as a three seed has a path in ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
March Madness 2025 will include these former Kentucky high school basketball stars
There's no shortage of Kentuckians who'll participate in March Madness. Here are 21 players from the commonwealth to follow during NCAA tournaments.Yahoo Sports - 15m