"A big statement": Tim Henman lauds Jack Draper for winning Indian Wells title

Former Britain’s number one Tim Henman believes that his fellow countryman Jack Draper’s triumph at the Indian Wells is a ‘big statement’. The 23-year-old, who is already regarded as one of the most talented players on the tour in men’s tennis in the singles category, secured the biggest title of his career on Sunday as he lifted the Indian Wells title after beating Denmark’s Holger Rune in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2.

It was his first ATP 1000 title in his career. With that win, he becomes only the second British player after Cameron Norrie. He lifted the title in 2021 after beating Nikoloz Basilashvili in the final with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

The result is a major turnaround for Draper, who, not so long ago, was struggling with fitness concerns. Former Britain’s number one Henman spoke to Sky Sports after the final and believes that the win is a ‘big statement’ from the Sutton-born star. Henman also highlighted that one of the primary reasons behind Draper’s win on Sunday was the fact that he ‘handled’ his reaction very well.

“I think it was experience you know,” he said. “It was so bizzarre that in the second set after 35 minutes, Jack was feeling really bad. I think it was a kind a that, anxiety. But he found a way to get through it. So you know Laura and I were sitting on the side of the court watching this match unfold and it was very much one-way traffic. The second set was going to be closer. We knew it going to be a reaction but I think Jack just handled his reaction, strategy and game plan so well. He was then able to execute his game plan. To beat someone like Rune two in two in the final is a big statement I think.”