It’s hard to say which champion was more impressive this week at BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, CA because both the women’s and men’s champions looked like future world no. 1s.
Mirra Andreeva dominated her draw and world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in today’s final with a three set win that has many tennis observers proclaiming her as the future Queen of the WTA. The 17 year old swept aside Rybakina and Swiatek in the semis with a poise and efficiency that looked far too easy. Andreeva’s tennis maturity and comfort in the spotlight and big stage looked similar to past greats Monica Seles and Martina Hingis. We got the sense this weekend that the sky is the limit for Andreeva. She did not show even one hint of a flaw or vulnerability.
Draper was equally as devastating but in his own manner. The 23 year old left-hander made mincemeat of his impossible draw, annihilating Fonseca, Fritz, Shelton and Carlos in the semis, before today blasting Holger Rune in the final 62 62. Draper’s overwhelming power arsenal, particularly the forehand and serve but also at times the backhand, made Rune look like he was out of his weight class, like a middleweight boxer in the ring with a heavyweight champion.
Watching Draper all week, he almost looks like a more explosive and powerful version of Nadal, how he can generate so much velocity and accuracy with his racquet speed. Like Andreeva, Draper sent a powerful message to their peers and rivals: They both showed flashes of two players who are still young and improving and have the potential to become dominant forces in pro tennis.
BNP Paribas Open · Jack Draper · Mirra Andreeva
catherine · March 17, 2025 at 11:13 am
Only seems like yesterday that Swiatek and Saba were the future of the WTA – whatever has happened to Iga ?
Draper has been promising for so long but proneness to injury has meant his surviving an entire season problematic.
Scoop Malinowski · March 17, 2025 at 11:46 am
Iga got busted for the positive test and got a wrist slap so she’s probably compromised. The establishment doesn’t want a Polish woman at the top anyway. Sabalenka’s days at the top seem numbered too. The Coco plan has failed, she’s stagnated two years ago. Qinwen still hasn’t put it all together yet. Raducanu has flopped. It’s the prefect time for a new whiz kid to step in and take over. Andreeva is everything Coco was supposed to be.
Sam · March 24, 2025 at 5:37 am
Scoop, I guess you’ve heard that Draper said he’d like to have dinner with Trump? 😊
Scoop Malinowski · March 24, 2025 at 9:12 am
Draper is going to have to wait Trump is too busy giving israel another $16 billion to genocide Palestine and threatening college protesters and critics of israel of being deported and even jailed.
Sam · March 30, 2025 at 11:36 pm
Well, I’m sure Draper is a patient guy. 😉
Scoop Malinowski · March 31, 2025 at 8:04 am
Ferreira emphasized to Draper to play more attack minded aggressive, less patient tennis )
Sam · April 7, 2025 at 4:39 am
If so, then meeting with Trump could only help Draper. 😉
Scoop Malinowski · April 7, 2025 at 8:07 am
Trum tried to date Gabriela Sabatini through her agent but was turned down )