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

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

Carlos Alcaraz might not get over his semifinal loss to Jack Draper until he wins his next title. The 21-year-old, who saw his bid for a three-peat at Indian Wells snapped on Saturday as he fell to Draper 6-1, 0-6, 6-4, told reporters that he was most disappointed about the way that he prepared for the match.

A key contributor to his defeat at the hands of the eventual 2025 BNP Paribas Open champion? Nerves, and the lack of confidence in his own game.

“I always say that I have to be focused on myself, on my own game. I think today I was more worried about his level, his game, than myself,” Alcaraz said before he departed Indian Wells.

“I think that was a big problem [for] me, that I was always thinking about his weaknesses [rather] than my best things. So when you’re thinking more about the opponent than yourself, then it is a big problem.”

Draper Ready to Win Big Titles

Alcaraz was full of praise for Draper, which explains why he had so much difficulty coming up with an effective strategy to counter him on Saturday.

“I remember in January when I played him in Australia, he had to retire. I said, ‘You will be where you deserve,’” Alcaraz said, before adding. “He deserves to be Top 10. He deserves to play a final in the Masters 1000. I am happy [for] him.

“I didn’t doubt about his level. He’s ready to stay there for a long time. He’s ready to play for the big events, for the big tournaments. I [am not] surprised about what I saw today. It wasn’t an easy match for him, playing for the Top 10, playing for the first Masters 1000 final, and I think he did great. He dealt with the nerves better than I did.”

Alcaraz and Draper are good friends on tour. Draper had planned to spend a week practicing with Alcaraz at his home facility, but couldn’t make it due to an injury.

The third-ranked Spaniard said he wasn’t disappointed about not becoming the third player in history to complete an Indian Wells three-peat. He’s more upset that he couldn’t quell his nerves and play the type of clutch tennis that he knows he can produce in big matches.

“I am not as upset about not getting the third one in a row,” he said. “I am upset about myself, about the way that I approached the match, the way that I felt during the whole day, that I couldn’t calm down myself.

“That, for me, [is the] most disappointing thing that I’m feeling right now, because it was probably one of the worst sets that I have played in my whole career, the first set.”

“I Will Make the Most of it in Miami”

The loss – and the soul-searching – could be the spark that pushes him over the top in Miami. That’s the beauty of tennis. There’s always next week.

“So that [shows] how nervous I was before the match, during the whole day. That is,, for me, really disappointing. Because I consider myself a person who learns from the losses. The last time that I lost here was the semifinal, and after all, I won Miami, so I think I will go for it. I will learn from that match, and I will make the most of myself in Miami.”