Jack Draper Exits in Medvedev Storm, Norrie Gone Too
Indian Wells
March 13, 2026
Jack Draper rose above some unsavoury gamesmanship from Daniil Medvedev as the likeable Brit’s title defence ended controversially at Indian Wells.
He shook the crafty Russian’s hand at the net – and that of the umpire, who had awarded a crucial point against him for “hindrance.”
Jack Draper’s classy sportsmanship is another reason why he will receive so much love from Centre Court at Wimbledon 2026.
Inside he must have been seething at the apparent injustice of the way the tennis rulebook had been interpreted.
But outwardly Draper acknowledged that it had been a “fair call” if that rulebook was strictly applied.
His crime was to stretch out his arms momentarily in astonishment that a Medvedev shot had not been called out on the baseline.
Coming at 5-5 and 0-15 on Draper’s serve in the second set, the champion was penalised for distracting his opponent – even though the rally had continued perfectly naturally.
Suddenly it was 0-30 instead of 15-15. Medvedev duly closed in for the kill and avoided a likely tie-break that could have gone either way.
The Indian Wells crowd booed the eventual 6-1, 7-5 winner from that key moment in the match until he left court as the unpopular villain of the piece.
Wimbledon 2026 will be full of drama too. There will be heroes. But will such a clear pantomime villain emerge in London?
Here’s why the Indian Wells spectators were so angry: Jack Draper had gamely played on despite his fleeting gesture. More importantly, Medvedev had played on too.
Daniil struck his next shot cleanly – and the one after. Only when he finally lost the point did he complain that he had been distracted.
And in that moment, Medvedev exaggerated and distorted what had happened. He falsely claimed Draper had raised his arms high above his head in protest at the lack of an “out” call.
Umpire Aurelie Torte admitted she hadn’t even noticed Draper’s action. But she was compelled to view the video replay – and decided to uphold Medvedev’s complaint.
She told Draper: ‘You did something you would not usually do.’
Jack countered. ‘Players do that all the time.’
But Draper’s strongest argument, in the view of most neutral observers, was when he told Daniil. ‘I did not distract you enough.’
Not enough to stop the point. Not enough to lose such a vital point either, in the final analysis.
It should be said that Medvedev was probably going to win the match anyway. He was the fresher player after Jack’s epic against Novak Djokovic less than 24 hours earlier.
But it all left a nasty taste – and even Medvedev admitted at the net: ‘I don’t feel good about this.’
Jack Draper might just receive a warmer welcome than Daniil Medvedev on the show courts at Wimbledon 2026.
But Wimbledon is the Sporting Slam, where all are treated fairly. And that is one reason why the Championships are so special.
Back in Indian Wells, Medvedev plays Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final. Carlitos defeated Britain’s other hope, Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4.
Norrie could have been 3-0 up in the first set. He broke back in the second too – but couldn’t maintain his level. Jannik Sinner faces Alexander Zverev in the other men’s semi-final.
And the final four in the women’s singles features Elina Svitolina versus Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka playing Linda Noskova.