ATP/WTA: Andreeva and Draper rule the California desert

Draper delivers on the big stage

No longer is Jack Draper about potential, no longer is Jack Draper breaking down physically or mentally, the British No.1 is the real deal and making serious strides in the upper echelons of the sport.

On Sunday night, the 23-year-old became the fifth British man to taste ATP Masters 1000 glory, charging into the Top 10 at a career-high No.7.

Rewind to his semi-final 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 triumph over the two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, a drained Draper had a coming-of-age moment after letting the second set slide away so rapidly.  

"I went to the toilet and just kind of looked at myself in the mirror and was like, 'You need to really get your stuff together', he said with a smirk. I just had to really knuckle down."

The explosive and astute left-hander has more than knuckled down in the past couple of campaigns, remaining relatively injury-free, putting in the hard yards, to reach a US Open semi-final last September.

Draper's Indian Wells title tilt underlines his electric emergence as a tour-leading talent, with victory over Brazil's prodigy Joao Fonseca, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Alcaraz and then a fast and furious 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Holger Rune in the final.

“It feels incredible to win here. I have been watching this tournament since I was a young guy, watching all the champions play on this big court, said Draper stateside after lifting his third career title. It means the world to me, honestly, to be able to be a champion here."

"I've put in a lot of work over time, and I'm just so grateful and so happy to be out here to be able to play, my body being healthy, to feel great in my mind. All the work I've done over the last few years feels like it's coming together on the big stage, and I can't put that into words."

Draper isn't boisterous or cocky, but he has serious swagger (especially with the backwards cap). In plenty of broadcast interviews on Sunday night, the self-assured world No.7 sent out a signal of intent to his rivals.

“I'm not really thinking about any outcomes, ranking-wise or events-wise. I feel like I have achieved a lot in the last year, and it's been nothing to do with setting goals, said Draper.

"Obviously I want to be a great player, and I want to achieve amazing things in this sport, but my main goal is keep on improving and keep on knuckling down.

“I know there is a long way ahead of me. I'm very ambitious. I don't want to just stop here. I want to keep on going.”

Andreeva mixing with the all-time greats

At any age, what Mirra Andreeva continues to achieve is astonishing. She's only 17 years old!

In the past three weeks, Andreeva has won back-to-back WTA 1000 titles, compiling a compelling 12-match winning streak.

On Sunday, the teenage sensation reeled in world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to add to last month's title run in Dubai and launch up to a career-high world No.6.

The records and 'youngest to…' accolades immediately zipped around social media. One that truly stands out is that she is the youngest woman to win Indian Wells since Serena Williams in 1999.

To rule in Dubai and at Indian Wells, Andreeva's all-court craft and 'never say die' attitude has seen this phenom outplay world No.2 Iga Swiatek twice and world No.7 Elena Rybakina twice.

In California, Andreeva also overcame Clara Tauson in a Dubai final re-match and the evergreen Elina Svitolina. Taking down No.2 Swiatek and No.1 Sabalenka back-to-back for the trophy says all you need to know about Andreeva's mental fortitude.

"I would say that now I’m sure that I can try and win really big matches against big players," the Roland-Garros 2024 semi-finalist told the WTA. "Before, I would just come out on court and try to win as many games as possible, because I had nothing to lose. Now facing top players, I really feel like I can beat them. There’s a belief in myself that now I can do it. That was the key today as well."

Remember, Andreeva walked onto court for the final 0-4 in hard court meetings with Sabalenka, with two defeats in 2025 over in Brisbane and the Australian Open. No problem. Under the coaching of Hall of Famer Conchita Martinez, the teenager is capable of hitting through opponents, or switching up tactically - no opponent, no occasion seems to faze this unique talent.

"In the second set, I tried to play a little bit more aggressive," mused Andreeva. "I didn't try to overhit her, because I don't think anyone can overhit Aryna, because she's a super-powerful player.

"I tried to really, I don't know, create something to make her uncomfortable, and, you know, point by point, game by game, I managed to do that."

Her tennis IQ is clearly top drawer, and all of this is done with raw emotion as well as a mischievous sense of humour. Take the trophy ceremony in California, Andreeva referenced a quote from Snoop Dogg with a chuckle into the microphone.

"I would again like to thank myself for fighting until the end and for always believing in me and for never quitting," said Andreeva.

"I tried to run like a rabbit today because Aryna was sending bullets. It was really hard to just keep up, so I just tried my best and that's why I would thank myself, because I think I played a little part also." 

Can Draper or Andreeva secure the 'Sunshine Double'?

The Miami Open kickstarts on Tuesday. In current form, this newly crowned Top 10 duo are destined for plenty more 1000 trophy lifts in 2025 and beyond.