By Chris Oddo | @Thefanchild | Wednesday 14 May 2025
With 19 matches under his belt since the beginning of Mars, including his first title of masters in Indian Wells and his first masters final in Clay in Madrid, it makes sense that fatigue would be part of the equation for Jack draper At this spring phase.
It would be… normal. But Draper does not want to be normal, so no excuse there. After losing it 6-4, 6-4 Carlos Alcaraz On Wednesday in Foro Italyo in Rome, Draper talked about his emotions as he reflected in what he called a disappointing show.
“I am very disappointed with the way I have done in some way,” the 23-year-old Brit told the media, adding: “I think from a mental and emotional perspective, you can definitely say, this is normal, you have had four difficult weeks.
“I don’t want to be normal. I want to be up there. It hurts a lot. This kind of loss.
“But as I said, Carlos played a really good match and he was the best player. I have to admit it, get back to the drawing board, really prepares well for French Open, know I hope I will have much more chances against these great players.”
This should be music for James Trotman’s ears. The Draper coach has the luxury of working with one of the fastest players growing in the ATP tour – Britain made his high debut on May 5 – and, even better, the child does not want to stop climbing.
What should you not like?
Draper wore fatigue all week in Rome, so maybe today’s loss will be a blessing, even if he doesn’t see it. Draper’s first speed fell significantly after the first six matches of his collision with the Spaniard, from 75 mph to 71 mph, and his rotation rate fell immediately with him.
Draper eventually chose the rhythm as he recovered a break in the second set and pushed Alcaraz in the 4th, but he did not have the powerful tennis to push while Alcaraz caught 10 of the last 11 points to win away.
“I’ve played the last four weeks now a lot,” Draper admitted. “I don’t want to think about it or accept it, but it certainly has a great effect that I think not only today, but all week. I have been fighting a little to maintain my quality throughout the matches.
“Today against someone like him, you can’t have those diving to your standards because you are punished.”
Carlos Alcaraz after his victory over Jack Draper in Rome:“I never suspected he would be in charge of the game.”
pic.twitter.com/i7iyqb0ana
– Tennis letter (@thetennisletter) May 14, 2025
There is still so much to like about the way the Draper clay game has progressed this year. He was 11-13 on the surface before the start of the Argila season, and he won nine of the 12 games.
“I’m really proud of how I approached the Argila season, especially so far,” Draper said. “Of course good results. Hard to move on. But I know that if I want to be a high, high player, I have to be a stable week, weeks out.”
After some vacation, Draper will go to Paris to make his third career appearance in Roland-Garros, where he has never chosen a victory. They expect that status to change by the end of May, and don’t be surprised if the ever -evolving evolved south is still standing when the second week begins.
