Jack Draper believes he has the potential to compete with top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner by 2025. This year saw significant progress for Draper, as he climbed the rankings to a career-high of 15 and secured two ATP Tour titles. He also reached the US Open semi-finals, where he was defeated by Sinner, who shared Grand Slam titles with Alcaraz this year and finished the season as world number one.
Despite a 39-22 win-loss record this season and a first-ever win against Alcaraz at Queen’s Club, Draper acknowledges the gap that still exists between him and the top two. However, he feels he is gaining the necessary experience to bridge that divide. “I think I do belong at the top of the game with all the weapons I have at my disposal, and mentality and all these things,” Draper stated, emphasizing the need for consistent high-level match play.
Draper has faced challenges handling pressure in crucial moments, notably experiencing physical reactions during the Australian Open and his US Open semi-final against Sinner. However, he has shown resilience, learning to close out tight matches after several previous losses in final-set tie-breaks. He expresses his enjoyment of competition and playing in front of large crowds.
Draper has been closely studying the games of Sinner and Alcaraz, who had exceptional win records this year, losing only six and thirteen matches respectively. He identifies their willingness to take risks and assert their dominance on the court as a key factor in their success. Draper recalls a specific instance from a past match against Alcaraz where the Spaniard fearlessly went for a powerful shot, even if it resulted in an error, highlighting their bold playing style.
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