Andy Roddick says as a fan he appreciates Carlos Alcaraz admitting he thought about Jack Draper’s game and felt nervous going into their match but also adds that the world No. 3 probably didn’t do himself a favor by sharing that to the public and letting ATP players know that he can doubt himself on certain days.
After losing to Rafael Nadal in the 2022 Indian Wells semifinal, the Spanish tennis star won 16 matches in a row and came two wins away from completing a three-peat in the desert. But just when it seemed that the 21-year-old was about to become the third player with three consecutive titles in Indian Wells, he delivered a shaky performance and ended up losing 1-6 6-0 4-6 to Draper in the semifinal.
Following the match, Alcaraz revealed that he had been thinking about the Briton’s game since he woke up and that he expected a tough battle.
Roddick on Alcaraz’s admission: Do you want people to know about possible mental insecurity?
“But also, I have another question—if you’re in Alcaraz’s camp, how honest is too honest? Like, he has this cloak of, like, people are ready, you know, he’s won four Slams, he’s 21. Do you want people to know that you kind of have this, maybe sometimes, mental insecurity?” the 2003 US Open champion said on the Served with Andy Roddick.
“I appreciate it as someone who’s consuming the game as a fan because I think it makes it relatable. I think he’s more endearing for having shared it. But if you’re in his camp, are you going, ‘Don’t tell people that, they think you’re invincible?’”
Truth be told, Draper was in great form. Before the opening Masters of the year, the 23-year-old finished as runner-up in Doha and then continued his form in Indian Wells by ousting Joao Fonseca, Jenson Brooksby, Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz before setting up an Alcaraz meeting.
After overcoming the Spaniard, Draper also crushed Holger Rune 6-2 6-2 to win his first Masters title.
Tennis World USA