Jack Draper is set to make his first appearance at a Masters 1000 event since the 2025 Rome Masters.
Draper struggled with a left arm injury throughout the latter half of 2025, playing only one match between July 2025 and January 2026.
The British star returned to competitive play at the Davis Cup before withdrawing from the Rotterdam Open.
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He then made his ATP return at the Dubai Tennis Championships, reaching the second round before losing to Arthur Rinderknech in three sets.
Now Draper is in California getting ready to take part in Indian Wells, and Paul Annacone is hoping that the Englishman will end up playing one particular tennis superstar.
Paul Annacone wants to see Jack Draper play Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells
Paul Annacone, the former coach of Tim Henman and Roger Federer, has expressed his joy at seeing Jack Draper’s pending participation at the Californian event.
The American, who is now working with Taylor Fritz, is hoping that tennis fans will get to witness another battle between Draper and world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
Draper stunned Alcaraz in the 2025 Indian Wells semi-finals, beating the Spaniard 6-1, 0-6, 6-4. The British star went on to win the title, defeating Holger Rune in the final.
“There’s a lot of ‘ifs, could’ves wouldves should’ves,’ right?” Annacone said on the Tennis Channel. “And I think for me, I really want to see Jack Draper play him again, because I was able to sit court-side and see that match last year.
“Jack Draper has had such a rough go of it with injuries but I love his style of play, and in the conditions down there I actually think Jack has a really good game to beat anybody.
“So I’m hoping Jack Draper gets healthy and I’d love to see he and Carlitos late in the tournament where Draper’s gotten some match reps under his belt.
“Because the leftie serve, the athleticism, and the weight of shot off of both wings, he does cause some problems, and I think that he’s got a good chance if he’s healthy and he can get the match reps to get him far enough in the draw.”
Jack Draper’s Indian Wells debut
In 2024, Jack Draper made his debut in Indian Wells, reaching the fourth round.
The young star defeated Leandro Riedi, Dan Evans and Andy Murray before losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Draper’s victory over Murray in the third round was particularly special. After all, Draper would have grown up watching the British tennis legend win multiple Wimbledon titles.
“If I was going to say one sporting person who has inspired me the most it would be Andy,” Draper told BBC Sport.
“To come off court with the win against Andy – I’ll never forget that moment.”
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He later added: “I’m very proud of myself. Beating Dan Evans, as well [in the previous round]. Dan’s a fierce competitor, someone who I’ve looked up to. That gave me confidence to go out there tonight and think even though it’s a really tough mental challenge again, I can do this.
“This is my first tournament in the last couple of months since I played Rafa [Nadal] in the Australian Open.
“My body is in a position at the moment where I am improving a lot. I have a fitness trainer, Dejan Vojnovic, who is incredible but I have only been working with him for three months and this is a long-term project.”
