"He is someone I have known since we were so small": Emma Raducanu overjoyed with Jack Draper Indian Wells success

Britain’s Emma Raducanu has stated that she is ‘happy’ to see fellow countryman Jack Draper lifting the Indian Wells title. 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.

Draper has been in impressive form recently. According to Opta Ace, he has won 87 percent (20-3) of his ATP matches since October last year, which is only behind Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who has won 100 percent of his matches during that time.

Britain’s Raducanu, who was once regarded as the next big thing after winning the US Open at the age of just 18 back in 2021, has recently spoken to Sky Sports, where he praised Draper for lifting his first ATP 1000 title. She stated that she is ‘happy’ for Draper, whom she has known since childhood. She also stated that she knows how much hard work Draper has put in and that he completely deserves it.

“I am so happy for him,” she said. "He is someone I have known since we were so small, and we were literally kids, so we grew up together. I know how much work he has put in and how much he deserves it. I am just really happy and rooting for him.”