Jack Draper revealed that he began to question himself during his injury setback at the end of the 2025 season, but feels confident after returning to the court last month. 

After beating Viktor Durasovic at the Davis Cup, Draper reached the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships before losing in three sets to Arthur Rinderknech. 

The Brit was diagnosed with an arm injury and withdrew from the US Open in the second round, resulting in him being unable to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals. 

Draper had enjoyed a stellar season in 2025, breaking into the top five of the ATP rankings after reaching his first clay-court tour-level semi-final at the Madrid Open. 

He finished as the runner-up in the Spanish capital, but went on to win his first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, with his title defence in California beginning on Friday. 

"This injury has definitely hardened me a fair bit," Draper said of the effects his comeback had on him and how he is feeling ahead of the tournament. 

"I've had certain injuries in the past, but when you do so well and when you get to the goal that you finally want to get to, being in a good position, competing for great tournaments and then something like this happens – you definitely start to question yourself, and it makes you quite sad in a way.

"But it's always about how you pick yourself up. I always think there's only one response to any sort of hardship or adversity, and that's to improve and be better for it.

Jack Draper returns #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/q567Z23t39

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 1, 2026

"So, I'm proud that I'm coming here in a good place. Mentally, I feel good. Physically, I'm in good shape.

"I wouldn't be back if I wasn't, I'm just so happy to be here, and hopefully I can have a great week."

On his way to the title, Draper defeated Carlos Alcaraz 6-1 0-6 6-4 in the semi-finals before defeating Holger Rune in the showpiece match. 

Indeed, Draper became the first player to defeat the reigning men's singles champion en route to the Indian Wells title since Juan Martin del Potro (2018).