Jack Draper is probably the most exciting British tennis player to have risen into the Top 100 since a young Andy Murray burst onto the scene almost two decades ago.
Draper has showcased plenty of talent in his young career, and having gotten his ranking back into double digits; he'll be hoping for a more significant and productive season in 2024. The only thing that has held him back is injuries, and we've not seen the entire repertoire and skillset regularly.
But it shouldn't escape anyone's mind that he is only 21 and has a long future ahead of him. Draper's fellow peers who are just about his age or slightly older have taken considerable strides to ascend the global ranks of men's tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz, 20, has already captured two Grand Slams and been to World No. 1. As for Jannik Sinner, 22, he is currently sitting at a career-high ranking of World No. 4 after a superb season in 2023, which saw him lift four ATP titles and a first Davis Cup for his country in 47 years.
Draper is currently not a direct rival to those two but wants to compete with them soon, which is a measure of how much belief he's got in his game. At his best, Draper has shown he's capable of beating the world's best players.
At this year's Australian Open, 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal praised the British lefty ahead of what he called "one of the toughest first rounds possible," labeling Draper a "powerful" young player who is growing rapidly.
"I want to be competing with those two. I see myself being right up there with them. It’s just my past been a little bit different. I’ve had certain things that have held me back, whether it be injury, or Covid or other stuff."
"I feel like they’ve had maybe three or four years on the tour at a high level to build up their experience, their physical [side] and just how they go about business on the tour."
Draper is aware that talent without consistency and results will amount to nothing. He admits he's been unfortunate in his development, which has delayed his rise compared to the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner. Still, he's backing himself to be a direct rival within a few years.
"So that’s where they’re different to me, they’ve just got more exposure to that level and more experience. And I’ve just got to accept that with the stuff I’ve had, that’s happened for a reason. I’ve had a lot of time to work on my body and accept where I’m at with things."
"I’ve no doubt that in the next couple of years, I want to be right up there with them. Patience is obviously a really important thing."
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