Jack Draper has arrived at Indian Wells looking to emulate Carlos Alcaraz by winning the event in back-to-back years.
The British star’s return to tennis is firmly on following a Davis Cup stint and an appearance at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Draper thinks he can win Indian Wells, despite his lack of match action, as he prepares for his first ATP 1000 event since the Italian Open.
Tim Henman, on the other hand, does not hold too much hope for Draper’s ability to retain his title at Indian Wells.
Tim Henman says Jack Draper’s ranking could plummet
Speaking to The Independent, Henman said Draper defending his Indian Wells title will likely be a step too far.
“With the amount of time he’s been off and coming back on to the tour, even if he’s 100 per cent healthy, it will take him time to build up not only match fitness but match toughness,” he said.
Where will Jack Draper be ranked by the end of 2026?
“And it’s not easy. We all know he won Indian Wells last year and there’s 1,000 ranking points and his ranking’s probably going to go in the wrong direction but you’ve got to take a long-term view.”
Draper has already tumbled down the rankings after being stripped of the 1000 points he earned at last year’s event.
The British star has fallen from world number 15 to 29, which puts him one place behind Cameron Norrie in the rankings.
There are just 43 ranking points separating Draper and Norrie, which could make the race for British number one incredibly dramatic at Indian Wells.
Who do Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie play at Indian Wells
Both Draper and Norrie have received a first round bye at Indian Wells, due to their ranking inside the top 32.
Neither man knows who they will face at the tournament yet, with both first round ties yet to be played in California.
Jack Draper is the ATP’s best bet at unsettling Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance – prove us wrong…
Draper awaits the winner of Fabian Marozsan and Roberto Bautista Agut, both of whom the British star is yet to play on the ATP Tour.
Norrie, meanwhile, is set to play the winner of the first round clash between Matteo Arnaldi or Mackenzie McDonald.
Both Draper and Norrie have been placed in the top half of the draw, so they could play each other in the unlikely event they both reach the semi-final.
