By Richard Pagliaro Friday, March 20, 2026
Image source: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Jack Draper The match against Novak Djokovic in Indian Wells was one of the most dynamic matches of the year.
Today, Draper was disarmed Riley Opelka Rocket launcher.
Opelka hit 25 aces and scored 47 points in 54 first-serve points to defeat Draper 7-6(3), 7-6(0) at the Miami Open.
Draper, the 2025 Indian Wells champion, was forced to terminate his 2025 season due to a left arm injury after winning in the first round of the U.S. Open. This was only his third match of the year.
The English southpaw said he has accepted the fact that it will take time for him to regain the physicality he displayed as a top-10 player last year.
“I think I’ve definitely been able to learn a lot these past few weeks,” Draper said. “I think it’s going to take time for me to get back to where I want to be in terms of tennis, fitness and everything after the injury.
“You know, it’s one thing to get back competitive, but sometimes people think, oh, just because you left, you must be feeling great, you must be feeling refreshed and ready to go.”
Draper said he had to reestablish his fitness and standing among his peers.
“It’s different because obviously when you get injured you go through a lot and mentally it’s very difficult to get back into the game,” Draper said. “Like I said, I think it’s just a process for me, the momentum I had last year, I have to earn it again. I think that’s it, I’m going to go out and work hard and earn that momentum, yeah.”
Although he faced no break points today, Draper’s sunshine doubles came to an end. The 2025 Madrid finalist said his goal is to regain his rhythm on dirt.
“I’m actually really looking forward to it,” Draper said of the upcoming spring clay court season. “I think it might be good for my game to play on some courts where I can find the rhythm of tennis again.
Courts in Dubai, especially this week, are very fast. I think I’ve played a few games besides Indian Wells
Just serve/receive game.
“So I’m looking forward to actually getting on the clay courts, playing some rally matches and getting my confidence back in tennis, yeah.”
