By Chris Oddo | @Thefanchild | Sunday 4 May 2025
Jack draperHigh level clay course? You will not have heard many experts make the announcement before his candidacy in the Madrid final, but now that the 23-year-old Brit has returned to his best performance in the red clay, many are convinced that we are seeing the start of the draper on the surface.
It was 10-12 longevity on the surface before this week, but after entering the Masters Masters final days of the clay court’s sub-optimal results could be well and really in the back.
Most importantly, Draper himself believes narrative.
“I just had to take my leg to the door somewhere to show that I am able to compete on a really high level on this surface,” Draper said.
After scoring his first career victories-20 victories on the surface, Draper thinks he is only on top of the iceberg.
“I think this week has shown this, and that has been told to himself, he told others,” he said, adding that he still has a lot of room for growth. “I think the biggest positive I am removing is the fact that I am still learning how to move and play on this surface, and I am there. I am competing with it, you know, the best wreaths of clay, the best boys on this surface in the world.
“I get great encouragement from this, and I hope I can continue that next week in Rome, (then in) the French.”
victorious Casper Ruud He said what many of us were thinking while on the podium after his 7-5 3-6 6-4 victory over Draper in Sunday’s final.
“The player you are, already at a young age, the player you are made on all surfaces,” Ruud said. “You are a threat to everyone now – it doesn’t matter where, it doesn’t matter when – I think Sky is the limit for you. Luckily it was my day today.”
“You are a player, already at a young age, the player you’ve been made on all surfaces. You are a threat to everyone now – it doesn’t matter where, it doesn’t matter when – I think the sky is the limit for you. Fortunately was my day today.” Pic.twitter.com/nriyyohmb0
– Tenisnow (@tennis_now) May 4, 2025
Draper says having success in Clay can release him on the fastest surfaces, where he has historically been even more deadly. He has undoubtedly done wonders for his ranking. Britain will enter the Top-5 into Monday’s ATP ranking, like the fourth British man who ever joined that elite group.
“I think it also gives me great confidence by going to probably a surface that is a little faster, which I like the most,” he said. “To think,” Wow, I’m doing this in clay, what can I get on other surfaces as well. “”
