Carlos Alcaraz's preparations for 2025 will include time training with one of his young rivals on the ATP Tour.
Alcaraz needs some time off after a lengthy and grueling season, including a heartbreaking ending at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga on Tuesday.
Rafael Nadal's last match ended with a singles defeat against Botic van de Zandschulp before Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost to Wesley Koolhof and van de Zandschulp to confirm the end of Nadal's career.
Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles match of the tie, and he also played well in the doubles, but an inspired display from Koolhof and several mistakes from Granollers cost the Spaniards.
Being unable to reach at least the semifinals in Nadal's last tournament might take some time for Alcaraz to recover from mentally, and the 21-year-old also undoubtedly needs physical rest.
Alcaraz spoke multiple times during the season about the tennis calendar being too intense without enough time to rest and recover, admitting he missed spending time at home.
However, Alcaraz still chose to compete at the Laver Cup and the Six Kings Slam exhibition and has signed up for an exhibition with Ben Shelton in December at Madison Square Garden despite complaining of mental and physical fatigue.
The legendary Billie Jean King does not sympathize with Alcaraz for that reason, saying he and other players who criticize the schedule would not compete in exhibitions if their concerns were genuine.
The ATP chair, Andrea Gaudenzi, does take Alcaraz's worries seriously and promised the governing body is working to address the issue, but he also defended the higher number of Masters 1000 tournaments added to the calendar.
Alcaraz can now take the rest he has felt was necessary, but the Spaniard's plans for the off-season are already being developed. They will include time spent training with Jack Draper in Alicante.
Draper's coach, James Trotman, confirmed the news to Mail Sport. He feels it is essential for him to spend time training with top players, and Alcaraz undoubtedly fits that description.
"It's incredibly important to spend time with the best players, experience that on a daily basis. We're looking forward to it."
Draper had a breakthrough season in 2024. The 22-year-old won his maiden title at the Stuttgart Open, reached the US Open final, and secured his first ATP 500 crown at the Vienna Open last month.
He also defeated Alcaraz in the second round of this year's Cinch Championships at the Queen's Club. Draper produced sublime tennis to overcome the two-time Wimbledon champion.
The Briton also has high ambitions for 2025. After winning the Vienna Open, Draper spoke about wanting to mix it up with Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner next year, showing he does not lack confidence.
Spending a week training with Alcaraz will be a great measure of how his game measures up against the four-time Grand Slam champion. The start of 2025 is particularly important for Alcaraz since the Australian Open is the only Grand Slam he has yet to win.
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