Draper’s rise over the past year has been solid and steady.
His first trophy came on the grass of Stuttgart in June last year, followed by an ATP 500 hard court title in Vienna in October.
His run to the semi-finals of the US Open caught the attention of the wider British public, although his nerves were illustrated by vomiting on the court after defeat to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Draper began seeing a “breathing coach” to help solve the problem, and he pointed to the way he got through the third set against Alcaraz as an example of his improved composure.
“I had a few doubts before the Indian Wells final and wondered if I would feel the same things, but I didn’t,” he said.
“I was very strong and focused on my breathing and things I could control. I was really proud of that.”
The next step from Masters champion is a logical one: becoming Grand Slam champion.
Winning Indian Wells is no guarantee of future great success, but as Dominic Thiem, Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu have shown, it is a strong indicator of getting through a field of 96 players with the very best opponents.
Hard courts have been Draper’s most successful surface, but the next two majors will be on the French Open clay courts and Wimbledon grass.
So far he has struggled on clay, but his improved footwork should help, while the increasingly dangerous serve and groundstrokes are suited to success on the grass court.
“I still feel like I have a lot to prove on the clay,” Draper added.
“Last year I couldn’t get it going, but I don’t see why I can’t push the best players on that surface.
“On grass, I feel like my game has improved a lot since last year.”
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