Jack Draper believes that achieving consistency can elevate his game to a level where he competes against the world’s elite, especially after making it to consecutive ATP finals and securing his place in the top 10 for the first time.
Last year was a remarkable season for Draper. He claimed titles in Stuttgart and Vienna and made it to the U.S. Open semifinals during his breakout year. Unfortunately, a persistent hip issue kept him from participating in the 2025 season’s opening event, the United Cup in Australia.
Referring to the tendinitis as a “ticking time bomb,” Draper had to pull out of his Australian Open fourth-round match against world number three, Carlos Alcaraz. However, he displayed flashes of brilliance with a 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 victory over the Spaniard at Indian Wells last Saturday.
Draper expressed his emotions: “Relief, joy, just a huge feeling of big emotion,” after his loss to Andrey Rublev in the Qatar Open final.
Reflecting on his journey, Draper said, “I’ve experienced a lot in my brief career, especially these past few years, with injuries and immense effort to get back to playing at a decent level. My goal last year was more than just achieving notable results; I wanted to develop consistency and reach a point where I could challenge the top players in the biggest tournaments. So, winning today’s match has significant meaning for me, especially against someone of Carlos’ caliber.”
As he prepares for his ascent into the top 10 on Monday, the 23-year-old is keen to make his first appearance in a Masters 1000 final a memorable one as he faces off against Dane Holger Rune on Sunday.
“I’m already excited about tomorrow,” Draper commented. “I’ll ensure I focus on my recovery. It’s crucial to move past today’s win, focusing all my energy on doing everything right to maximize my chances of winning the tournament tomorrow.”
