"There’s nothing worse": Rennae Stubbs predicts why Jack Draper will not win Miami Open despite lifting Indian Wells title

Ex-coach of the former world number one, Serena Willians, Rennae Stubbs, has predicted that Britain’s Jack Draper will not be able to replicate his Indian Wells performances at the Miami Open. The 23-year-old, who is regarded as one of the most talented players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category, secured the biggest title of his career on Sunday as he won the Indian Wells ATP 1000 competition.

Draper defeated Denmark’s Holger Rune in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2. On his way to the final, the Sutton-born star defeated the tournament favourite Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal with a score of 6-1, 0-6, 6-4. 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.

Stubbs has been recently quoted on her own podcast in which she predicted that Draper would not be able to lift the title at the Miami Open. Stubbs was of the opinion that not only is it hard to achieve back-to-back ATP 1000 titles, but it won't be easy because the surfaces are different at both venues, and the balls will also be different.

“I don’t see Jack Draper going back to back, I think that’s going to be really, really hard for him,” she said. “Not saying he is not capable but I do think that it is very hard to win the Sunshine double. They are completely different feelings on the court. Not only are they different surfaces, this is a little quicker here in Miami. The humidity makes that world of difference to how the ball plays as well. And guess what? It’s a new and different ball. Last week we had Wilson, this week Dunlop. We have had the worst wind in Miami the last three days, so that is also a factor. Yes, we had wind at Indian Wells as well, so the players are probably are like ‘this wind’! There’s nothing worse than playing in the wind.”