Jack Draper revealed he was starting to doubt himself amid the injury setback that derailed the end of the 2025 season, but remains confident he is physically and mentally ready to return.
Draper, who won her first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells in 2025, withdrew from the US Open with an arm injury in September, but returned at last week’s Dubai Tennis Championships.
Draper lost in the second round to Arthur Rinderknek in Dubai, and speaking live on Sky Sports ahead of his title defense in California this week, the British number one said he was in a “good place” after a tough layoff.
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Draper officially returned to the tour in February with a straight-sets win over Quentin Harris at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
“This injury definitely made me pretty stiff,” Draper said.
“I’ve had injuries in the past, but when you perform really well, ultimately reach the goal you want to reach, are in a good position, play a great tournament, and then something like this happens, you definitely start to doubt yourself and in a way it becomes very sad.
“But the important thing is always how you pick yourself up.
“I have always believed that there is only one way to deal with any challenge or adversity and that is to improve and do better.
“So I’m proud that I’m here in a good place. I’m feeling good mentally and I’m feeling good physically.”
“Otherwise I wouldn’t have come back. I’m really happy to be here and I hope I have a great week.”
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Highlights of Draper’s 2025 Indian Wells semi-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz
En route to winning Indian Wells last year, Draper lost the second set 6-0 before defeating world No. 1 and current seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals and Denmark’s Holger Ruhn in the final.
As a seeded player, Draper will start in the second round, but the first round begins on Wednesday, with coverage beginning at 7 p.m.
Watch the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells live from March 4th to 15th on Sky Sports. Stream tennis now with no contract required.
