Jack Draper faced questions about his physical and mental capabilities after retiring from his Australian Open match against Carlos Alcaraz due to injury. However, he silenced his critics by winning the Indian Wells title and breaking into the world’s top 10 just eight weeks later. This marked a significant achievement for the 23-year-old British tennis player.
Following his hip issues at the Australian Open, Draper had to make tough decisions regarding his health and workload. This included skipping the Davis Cup tie against Japan and withdrawing from a tournament in Rotterdam. Despite these setbacks, he returned stronger, finishing as a runner-up at the Qatar Open before clinching the Indian Wells title. The strategic decision to retire against Alcaraz and manage his physical condition has proven beneficial for Draper.
Draper’s success can be attributed to his improved physical condition, technical skills, and tactical decisions on the court. With the guidance of coach James Trotman and support from former world number one Andy Murray’s team members Shane Annun and Matt Little, Draper has made significant progress. His consistent serving, versatile forehand, and enhanced footwork have made him a formidable opponent in the tennis circuit.
Having conquered Indian Wells and steadily risen in the rankings, Draper is setting his sights on Grand Slam success. While his proficiency on hard courts is well-established, he acknowledges the challenges of clay and grass surfaces. Despite previous struggles on clay, Draper aims to improve his performance on that surface. Additionally, he believes his game has evolved significantly on grass, hinting at potential success on Wimbledon’s hallowed turf in the future
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