'She Doesn't Know Who I Am': Draper Opens Up About Grandmother's Fight With Alzheimer's

| by Sebastian Dahlman

Jack Draper is very close to his grandmother, but unfortunately, she can't recognize him anymore as she fights Alzheimer's, a disease the Brit hopes to raise awareness for.

Jack Draper is one of the best young players on the ATP Tour. His ranking might not indicate it, but that's largely because he struggled with many injuries this year. His talent will certainly propel him to the top sooner than later, but tennis is not all he deeply cares about.

Raising awareness about Alzheimer's, a truly vicious disease that unfortunately has no cure, is something Draper cares deeply about. His grandmother is affected by the disease, so much so that she can't remember who he is anymore.

That's the sad part of the disease, something that's really affected Draper personally. He grew close to his grandmother through tennis, as she was always one of his biggest supporters, but also a former player and coach.

As a former tennis player and coach who worked with many top national players, it was devastating for me and my family to see my grandmother's condition deteriorate. Nana was one of my biggest supporters growing up and I have always been very close to her, but this is a disease which completely takes away the person you knew.

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She used to watch Draper play, but as her condition deteriorated, she simply couldn't recognize him anymore. It doesn't matter if she watches him practice live or on the TV.

It's how Alzheimer's works, slowly removing any memories you have formed over your life. It's pretty heartbreaking, especially for those who watch it happen like Draper.

My Pa, who is Nana's main carer, still brings her to the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton to watch me train, but she doesn't know who I am. And if my tennis matches are on TV, he will tell Nana it's me but it doesn't register with her anymore.

This is probably the saddest part for me and my family, that she no longer recognises or is able to communicate with us. Nana was a huge supporter of my tennis, and I wish she could see and appreciate all the things I've achieved so far as I know she would be very proud of me.

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