Carlos Alcaraz reacts after winning a point during the BNP Paribas Open men's final at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA, on March 17, 2024.

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“Just Want to Take Revenge”: Carlos Alcaraz Sends Warning to Jack Draper Before Italian Open 2025 Quarterfinal

Spaniard is chasing No. 2 ranking in Rome!

Carlos Alcaraz reacts after winning a point during the BNP Paribas Open men's final at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA, on March 17, 2024.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper are set to renew their rivalry at the 2025 Italian Open on Wednesday. The two players came through their respective Round of 16 encounters in order to confirm a rematch of the Indian Wells semifinal from earlier this year. It was a match that will bring back some bitter memories for the Spaniard, and ecstatic nostalgia for his British counterpart.

With a 26-5 record in 2025, Carlos Alcaraz is well and truly entering the peak of his young career. On Tuesday, the four-time Grand Slam champion battled past Karen Khachanov of Russia in three sets. One of his five losses this year came against Draper, who has been in fine form himself. With a victory over ‘Carlitos’ ensuring a Top-4 ranking for him, the southpaw will be determined to succeed in Rome.

Alcaraz ‘Looking Forward’ to Draper Rematch

Alcaraz and Draper came face to face at the 2025 Indian Wells – where the young British sensation emerged victorious. The 23-year-old accomplished the rare feat of overpowering Alcaraz from the back of the court for a 6-1 0-6 6-4 win. While another win would guarantee him the World No. 4 position, Carlos is gunning for a vital ranking hike himself. Provided he reaches the finish line against Draper, the Olympic silver medalist will regain the World No. 2 ranking – ensuring that he is on the opposite end of the draw to Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper will face each other in the Rome Quarterfinals.

Carlos leads the head to head 3-2, but Jack won their most recent meeting earlier this year at Indian Wells.

They’ve never played on clay.

Both playing in their first Rome Quarterfinal.

Both… pic.twitter.com/byrGf2xDJX
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 13, 2025

“I think his game is pretty much the same as it always is,” Alcaraz told Tennis Channel after beating Khachanov. “So I don’t think it is going to be that different from Indian Wells – I just have to be ready for that. I’m looking forward to playing against Draper again. He is one of the best players in the world right now.”

“He showed how good he is [by] making the final in Madrid, and he is playing great. I have been watching his matches lately and I know what he can play.” Alcaraz, who leads the head to head 3-2 against Draper, believes that only his best level will suffice on Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to playing against him and getting revenge for Indian Wells. I have to be ready – I need to play my A-Game if I want to beat him.”

Carlos Alcaraz vs Jack Draper Rivalry

Basel 2022 Round of 32:

Alcaraz def. Draper 3-6 6-2 7-5

Indian Wells 2023 Round of 16:

Alcaraz def. Draper 6-2 2-0 RET.

Queen’s Club 2024 Round of 16:

Draper def. Alcaraz 7-6(3) 6-3

Australian Open 2025 Round of 16:

Alcaraz def. Draper 7-5 6-1 RET.

Indian Wells 2025 Semifinal:

Draper def. Alcaraz 6-1 0-6 6-4

ATP

Carlos Alcaraz

Italian Open

Jack Draper

Jannik Sinner

Karen Khachanov

Roland Garros

Rome Masters

Tennis

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.