Holger Rune Overcome with Emotion After Jack Draper’s Dominant Indian Wells Final Victory
Holger Rune was forced to cut his post-match interview short after an emotional moment following his crushing defeat to Jack Draper in the Indian Wells final.
Draper, playing some of the best tennis of his career, delivered a masterclass performance, defeating Rune 6-2, 6-2 in just one hour and eight minutes. The Brit got off to a blistering start, breaking Rune in the opening game and maintaining control throughout, securing his first ATP Masters 1000 title.
Speaking after the match, Draper expressed his shock and gratitude at the breakthrough victory.
“It’s incredible. I wasn’t expecting this,” he told Sky Sports. “All the work I’ve put in over the years, all the sacrifices—it’s all coming together on the big stage. I can’t put it into words.”
Draper, who had already made headlines by knocking out defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals, highlighted how he adjusted his approach against Rune.
“I knew Holger was going to come out playing some really good tennis, so I needed to be aggressive from the first ball. I didn’t allow him to play—I dictated the match really well.”
The victory sees Draper rise to a career-high world No. 7, a ranking he feels he has earned through perseverance and adversity.
“I feel like I deserve it, in all honesty. The sacrifices, the struggles, and the hard work from my team—it’s an emotional feeling to know how much we’ve all been through.”
Rune’s Emotional Post-Match Moment
While Draper celebrated his triumph, Rune struggled to hold back tears during his runner-up speech.
“I have to say thanks to my family back home… sorry,” Rune said, pausing to compose himself as the crowd erupted in support. “They mean everything to me.”
The touching moment showed the depth of Rune’s disappointment but also his gratitude for the support system behind him.
A Statement Win for Draper
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman hailed Draper’s dominant performance, calling it a “statement” victory.
“To beat someone like Rune 6-2, 6-2 in a Masters final—it’s a big statement,” Henman said. “Jack handled his emotions, his game plan, and his strategy so well. It was one-way traffic for most of the match.”
With his breakthrough title now secured, Draper has firmly cemented himself among the sport’s elite, and many will be watching closely to see how he builds on this momentum.
