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, instructed 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 all the time say that I’ve to be centered on myself, by myself recreation. I feel at present I used to be extra apprehensive about his degree, his recreation, than myself,” Alcaraz stated earlier than he departed Indian Wells.

“I feel that was an enormous downside [for] me, that I used to be all the time eager about his weaknesses [rather] than my finest issues. So once you’re pondering extra concerning the opponent than your self, then it’s a massive downside.”

Draper Able to Win Large Titles

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

“I keep in mind in January once I performed him in Australia, he needed to retire. I stated, ‘You can be the place you deserve,’” Alcaraz stated, earlier than including. “He deserves to be Prime 10. He deserves to play a last within the Masters 1000. I’m completely satisfied [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] stunned about what I noticed at present. It wasn’t a simple match for him, enjoying for the Prime 10, enjoying for the primary Masters 1000 last, and I feel 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 dwelling facility, however couldn’t make it as a consequence of an damage.

The third-ranked Spaniard stated he wasn’t disillusioned about not turning 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 massive 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 most likely one of many worst units that I’ve performed in my complete profession, the primary set.”

“I Will Make the Most of it in Miami”

The loss – and the soul-searching – may very well be the spark that pushes him excessive in Miami. That’s the fantastic thing about tennis. There’s all the time 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 any case, I gained Miami, so I feel I’ll go for it. I’ll study from that match, and I’ll take advantage of myself in Miami.”