British number one Jack Draper has never lacked talent or physical presence on court, but a history of untimely injuries and early exits has haunted his young career. Now, after a gritty win at Queen’s Club and a season defined by growth, the 23-year-old believes he has finally found the staying power to match his potential.
From looks to longevity
“I looked like a bit of a Ferrari, but I was a bit of a Toyota,” Jack Draper joked, reflecting on the early years of his professional career. It’s a line that brings laughter—but also truth. Draper, standing at 6ft 4in with a powerful left-handed game, has long possessed the physical attributes of a top-tier athlete. Yet his career has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries, resulting in an inconsistency that undermined his undoubted promise.
This week at Queen’s Club, however, Draper delivered a performance that suggested those days may be behind him. In a demanding three-set match against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, the Brit battled back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), sealing a place in the quarter-finals and boosting optimism ahead of Wimbledon.
Draper attributed his success not just to his technique or tactics, but to a major shift in physical preparation. “Before, I felt like my energy wasn’t that strong,” he said after the match. “Now I’m starting to feel generally stronger and confident in myself.”
The Australian Open turning point
For Draper, the transformation did not come overnight. The defining moment, he believes, came at the 2024 Australian Open. There, he won three consecutive five-set matches to reach the fourth round—his best performance at a Grand Slam—before retiring against world number two Carlos Alcaraz due to lingering effects of a hip injury.
Despite the disappointment of having to pull out while trailing 7-5, 6-1, Draper emerged from Melbourne with a sense of breakthrough. “I think those matches at the start of the year in Australia really helped me to get over that hurdle,” he said. “I’ve always worked hard off the court, but that experience gave me belief that I can last in long matches.”
His performance in Australia not only displayed his fighting spirit but also demonstrated a new level of physical resilience. Previously prone to cramping or struggling late in matches, Draper has evidently begun to master the physical demands of the pro circuit. That shift may prove vital as he eyes success on the grass courts of Wimbledon.
The weight of British expectation
As the sixth-ranked player in the world and top Brit in the men’s game, Draper now carries the hopes of a nation eager for a new era of tennis success. Following in the footsteps of Andy Murray is no small task, but Draper’s maturity and candidness about his journey have endeared him to British fans.
He remains winless beyond the second round at Wimbledon, but the signs suggest this year could mark a turning point. He arrives at SW19 not just as a dangerous lefty with a big serve, but as a player who has endured setbacks, rebuilt his body, and now looks ready to contend over best-of-five formats.
“The more I play, the more I learn about myself and what it takes to be at this level,” Draper said. “I’ve got a great team around me and I’m feeling really positive about where I’m heading.” That sense of progress, both mental and physical, has made Draper more than just a stylish talent. He’s become a player capable of grinding out difficult wins—exactly what’s required in the second week of a Grand Slam.
Queen’s form a promising sign
The Queen’s Club Championships have often served as a form guide ahead of Wimbledon, and Draper’s resilience in his second-round win over Popyrin is a signal that he’s ready to embrace the grass season. After dropping the first set, he shifted gears with a commanding second-set performance, and held his nerve in a tense third-set tie-break.
More than just a technical win, it was a test of endurance—precisely the kind of match that might have broken the old Draper. Now, with a spot in the quarter-finals and his body responding well, the British number one is gaining momentum at just the right time. Whether he can turn that into a deep Wimbledon run remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Jack Draper no longer just looks the part—he’s starting to last the part too. As the grass court season unfolds, the Ferrari may finally have found its engine.
