What Carlos Alcaraz had to say about Jack Draper ahead of ‘revenge’ mission
Carlos Alcaraz has been keeping a close eye on Jack Draper as he admitted he is ready to take revenge when they face each other at the Italian Open.
The two youngsters will meet for a third time in 2025 as they will square off in the quarter-final of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament at Foro Italico.
Alcaraz came out on top in their round of 16 clash at the Australian Open as he was leading 7-5, 6-1 when Draper retired, but the Brit bounced back in their recent semi-final at Indian Wells as he won 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 before going on to win his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at the North American hard-court event.
The Spaniard, though, leads their head-to-head 3-2 as he won in Basel in 2022 and at Indian Wells in 2023 while Draper beat him on the grass at Queen’s Club in 2024.
But for now, their most March encounter at Indian Wells is still fresh in the mind and Alcaraz knows he will have to bring his “A game” if he is to beat one of the most in-form players on the ATP Tour.
“I think his game is pretty much the same as it always is,” he said on the Tennis Channel.
“I am looking forward to playing against Draper again. He is one of the best players in the world right now.
“He shows how good he is [by] making the final in Madrid and he is playing great. I have been watching his matches lately and I know what he can play.
“It is going to be an interesting match for the fans and it is going to be a really beautiful match to watch. I am looking forward to playing against him and get the revenge for Indian Wells.
“I have to be ready, I need to play my A game if I want to beat him and we will see.”
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After winning the Indian Wells title, Draper continued his good run as he finished runner-up at the Madrid Open while he has risen to a career-high No 5 in the ATP Rankings.
If he gets the better of Alcaraz in the quarter-final, he will climb to No 4.
The Spaniard was asked about the British No 1’s biggest strengths and replied: “He’s really solid. He’s really solid. He’s really passionate.
“In every point, his shots are great, really aggressively. He’s trying to play as aggressive as he can, and that makes him really, really tough.
“Every point is a battle. Physically he improved a lot. With the serve, with everything, I mean, he’s really, really complete player.”
