What Did Alcaraz Hate Most About His Loss to Draper at Indian Wells?

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday March 18, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz won’t recover from his semifinal loss to Jack Draper till he wins his subsequent title. The 21-year-old, who noticed his bid for a three-peat at Indian Wells snapped on Saturday as he fell to Draper 6-1, 0-6, 6-4, informed reporters that he was most disillusioned about the way in which that he ready for the match.

A key contributor to his defeat by the hands of the eventual 2025 BNP Paribas Open champion? Nerves, and the insecurity in his personal recreation.

“I at all times say that I’ve to be targeted on myself, alone recreation. I believe as we speak I used to be extra nervous about his degree, his recreation, than myself,” Alcaraz stated earlier than he departed Indian Wells.

“I believe that was an enormous downside [for] me, that I used to be at all times excited about his weaknesses [rather] than my finest issues. So while you’re considering extra in regards to the opponent than your self, then it’s a large downside.”

Draper Able to Win Massive Titles

Alcaraz was filled with reward for Draper, which explains why he had a lot problem developing with an efficient technique to counter him on Saturday.

“I bear in mind in January once I performed him in Australia, he needed to retire. I stated, ‘You may be the place you deserve,’” Alcaraz stated, earlier than including. “He deserves to be High 10. He deserves to play a last within the Masters 1000. I’m blissful [for] him.

“I did not doubt about his degree. He is prepared to remain there for a very long time. He is able to play for the massive occasions, for the massive tournaments. I [am not] shocked about what I noticed as we speak. It wasn’t a straightforward match for him, enjoying for the High 10, enjoying for the primary Masters 1000 last, and I believe he did nice. He handled the nerves higher than I did.”

Alcaraz and Draper are good mates on tour. Draper had deliberate to spend every week working towards with Alcaraz at his residence facility, however couldn’t make it on account of an harm.

The third-ranked Spaniard stated he wasn’t disillusioned about not changing into the third participant in historical past to finish an Indian Wells three-peat. He’s extra upset that he couldn’t quell his nerves and play the kind of clutch tennis that he is aware of he can produce in large matches.

“I’m not as upset about not getting the third one in a row,” he stated. “I’m upset about myself, about the way in which that I approached the match, the way in which that I felt throughout the entire day, that I could not settle down myself.

“That, for me, [is the] most disappointing factor that I am feeling proper now, as a result of it was in all probability one of many worst units that I’ve performed in my entire profession, the primary set.”

“I Will Make the Most of it in Miami”

The loss – and the soul-searching – could possibly be the spark that pushes him excessive in Miami. That’s the great thing about tennis. There’s at all times subsequent week.

“In order that [shows] how nervous I used to be earlier than the match, throughout the entire day. That’s,, for me, actually disappointing. As a result of I contemplate myself an individual who learns from the losses. The final time that I misplaced right here was the semifinal, and in spite of everything, I received Miami, so I believe I’ll go for it. I’ll study from that match, and I’ll profit from myself in Miami.”