The 2025 edition of the Indian Wells Masters event has made ATP history, with the singles semi-final line-up featuring three players all born in the 21st century – a first in that category (or at Grand Slam level, for that matter).
Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune – both born in 2003 – and Brit Jack Draper, born in 2001, have all made their way into the last four at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
In an era defined by three players all born in the 1980s, perhaps this statistic further represents the quickly changing landscape of men’s tennis.
It should also be noted that Daniil Medvedev – born in 1996 – fills the fourth semi-final spot, having beaten Frenchman Arthur Fils in a dramatic third-set tiebreak.
Carlos Alcaraz
The youngest of the three, Carlos Alcaraz is simply on a roll at the Indian Wells event.
Alcaraz has won 32 of his last 34 sets in the desert and is just two match wins away from winning three consecutive titles at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden – something done by only two other players, Roger Federer (2004-06) and Novak Djokovic (2014-16).
The Spaniard was victorious over Francisco Cerundolo, who had produced a sensational performance against Alex de Minaur in the previous round, beating him 6-3, 7-6(4).
After the victory, the four-time Grand Slam champion stated: “Well, I think today was a little bit tougher than yesterday.
“I think it was more wind, colder. So the conditions was really tough. But, you know, I think I didn’t play as good as yesterday, but I think, I mean, tennis is about not having a great day every day.
“So you have to play with your best that day. I think today I just survived. I just save, you know, a lot of breakpoints, a lot of chances to his favor. Just really happy about it. Yeah, I think I just played decent match or a good match with that conditions.”
Holger Rune
Born just one month before Alcaraz, Holger Rune has now made the semi-finals in three of the last 4 Masters 1000 events and will be seeking a maiden final at that level.
The Dane made his first quarter-final in Indian Wells in 2024, before losing to Daniil Medvedev – who he will compete against in the last four.
Rune defeated the tricky Tallon Griekspoor, 5-7, 6-0, 6-3 in even trickier conditions, overcoming both his opponent and the strong winds.
“I think today I lost the first set, and things in my mind in the beginning of the second set were a bit tough, because I feel like, you know, no matter what I did, he had an answer to a lot of it,” said the former world No 4.
“I had to change the game plan, and I started playing differently. I saw that it started to hurt him more, so I kept going. Obviously I think I managed to play a way that he didn’t like as much as previously.
“I think I did my part today. I found a way to win, and that’s what matters.”
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Jack Draper
Brit Jack Draper is the eldest of the three 2000s-born semi-finalists, but looks in similarly impressive form.
Draper reached the final of the Qatar Open in February and has carried on the sensational form at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
En route to the last four, the 23-year-old has beaten Joao Fonseca, Jenson Brooksby, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton – beating the latter 6-4, 7-5 to reach his first semi-final.
Draper will next face Alcaraz, who he recently lost to at the 2025 Australian Open.
“I’m always proud of myself, always looking at what I’m doing and thinking that I’m doing a good job and stuff like that,” stated the semi-finalist.
“Unfortunately, obviously in tennis you’re in a sport where there is always the next match and you have to prove yourself every time.
“Certainly for myself, my mindset, unfortunately that, as well, I feel like I’m never content with anything. I always want to have more wins and more opportunities to play top players.”
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