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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday January 15, 2025
Jack Draper is becoming an expert in weathering the Grand Slam storm. Playing in his 11th major, the Brit has cut his teeth in a host of ways over the past four seasons.
He has faced the pressure of being a top prospect at Wimbledon, where he is the focal point of the British press during the Wimbledon fortnight, and he has dealt with the hostility that comes from foreign crowds at places like Roland-Garros, USA. Open and Australian Open.
Last night Draper had to endure a wild atmosphere that was definitely against him as he battled to five sets with Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis. It’s easy for new players to be overwhelmed by the cacophony, jeering cheers and noises between serves, but instead of complaining Draper is embracing the experience. That’s part of the reason he was able to get through the set last night and come in five electric sets.
“It was amazing,” he said. “Obviously, the atmosphere is electric. Obviously, there’s a lot of abuse from the crowd between the serves, the backcourt and all that stuff.”
Not to worry, Draper says, he kind of likes it, as it helps get his competitive juices flowing.
“I think sometimes you don’t want to bother them or get back at them. But to be honest, it gave me energy doing it. There were times when I was down, then I went through a tough game. And I was feeling it a little. I was energized by turning it around a bit. It’s just a bit of fun.”
A big step forward
Another reason for Draper’s success in the majors, where he has now won seven of his last eight? His physicality. Once considered vulnerable, injury-prone and maybe even a little cursed, Draper is now proving that — for him, at least — with maturity comes resilience.
He expressed relief about the situation while speaking to reporters on Thursday night in Melbourne.
“I think it’s been really difficult the last few years with question marks over long matches and to sustain long-match performances,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’m playing my best tennis. Of course I had a difficult preparation. But if anything, I’m really proud of my mentality, my body and the way I competed.”
Draper, who will face Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic in the third round, says it is massive to see the hard yards paying off.
“It’s a big step forward,” he said. “It is difficult. I have been working hard physically for a long time. When people say, ‘Oh, you’re not fit enough’ and all that stuff, yeah, that’s part of it. Draper explained that the myriad elements that come with Grand Slam experience were a drain on his energy during his early years on the tour. But now he’s picking things up.
“As a young player, when you get into these big events and you have to deal with the media, the crowds, you’re playing tournaments that you’ve dreamed of playing since you were young, and you’re expected to do well and everything. these things,” he said, adding:
“I would say it was a bit too much for me at first. I feel like especially at the end of last year I have created a lot of confidence in myself, a lot of confidence. I think winning the titles and making it to the semi-finals of the US Open gave me that kind of confidence in my mind that I’m good enough and that I’m doing the right things. It has also given me peace of mind.
“Instead of carrying a lot on my shoulders, I feel a lot more at ease in myself and I feel a lot more at ease.” I try to train hard sometimes because I know I need to improve and I know I need to work on my game, but the thing that really drives me and I think separates me from a lot of players is my competition, like , nature. Obviously, playing in that kind of atmosphere against a great player in Thanas, that’s what I play tennis for.
