Alcaraz Shows His Class at Indian Wells as Draper Retires
ATP
Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper met in an anticipated match of two youngsters at the 2023 Indian Wells Open, but it didn't end as the fans and players hoped.
Both played exceptional tennis to find themselves in the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells. As the top seed, Alcaraz had a first-round bye. He then bested Thanasi Kokkinakis and Tallon Griekspoor.
Draper, on the other hand, had to start in the first round. He beat Leandro Riedi, and then he beat to fellow compatriots. First the 24th-seeded Daniel Evans and then former World No. 1 Andy Murray.
As a match of two youngsters who might carry the sport in the upcoming decades, many fans looked forward to the meeting between Alcaraz and Draper, and it certainly delivered in the first set.
Draper lost his serve in the first game, and he then had three chances to break back, but he couldn't. Alcaraz played all the crucial points better. That was true also when he worked his way to another break point.
Again, the Spaniard converted, leading already 5-1. He then easily served out the set to win it 6-2. At the start of the second set, Alcaraz was the better player again, winning the first two games and leading 2-0.
However, that was when Draper announced that he couldn't continue competing, retiring from the match. After the British player's loss, Alcaraz showed his class, writing "Get well soon, Jack!" on the camera lens.
During his post-match press conference, Alcaraz once again talked about his opponent, saying that no tennis player wants to go through thanks to a retirement.
"Nobody wants to win a match like this. Nobody wants to get through to the next round like this. Sometimes tennis is hard. As I said before, health is more important than a show, a tournament…All I can say is to wish him a speedy recovery."
