Handling the Hate and Demands of Grand Slam Tennis, Jack Draper's Growth Continues

Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday January 17, 2025

Jack Draper he becomes the champion of weathering the Grand Slam storm. Playing in his 11th major, the Brit has cut his teeth in many ways over the past four seasons.

He has faced the pressure of being a top player at Wimbledon, where he is the center of British media during the Wimbledon fortnight, and he has faced hostility from foreign crowds at venues such as Roland-Garros, in the US. Open and Australian Open.

In the second round, Draper had to endure a decidedly bad wind as he fought his way through five sets against Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis. It's easy for younger players to get carried away by the cacophony, and the banter and catcalls between servers, but instead of crying Draper embraces the experience. It's part of the reason he was able to pass muster and go through five straight sets against Kokkinakis.

“It was amazing,” he said after the win, which was his second straight five-set win at this year's Australian Open. “Obviously, electric wind. Obviously getting a lot of abuse from the crowd in the middle of the facilities, behind the court and all that kind of stuff. “

Don't worry, Draper says, he loves it, as it gets his competitive juices flowing.

“I think sometimes you don't want to explain yourself or give yourself back. But to be honest, it gave me the strength to do that. There were times when I was down, and then I got into a tough game. And I could barely hear it. It gave me the strength to give you back a little. It's just fun.”

A Big Step Forward

Another reason for Draper's success in the majors, where he has now won eight of his last nine games? His body. Once seen as vulnerable, prone to injury and perhaps a little cursing, Draper is now proving that – for him, at least – with maturity comes resilience.

He expressed relief about the situation when he spoke to reporters on Thursday night in Melbourne.

“I think it's been really tough the last couple of years with question marks in long games and supporting long draws,” he said. “I can't say I'm playing my best tennis. Obviously, I prepared hard. But if anything, I'm really proud of my mind, my body and the way I competed.”

Draper, who defeated Aleksandar Vukic of Australia, 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(8), in the third round on Friday night, He says it's great to see hard yards paying off.

“It's a big step forward,” he said. “It's tough. I've been working out for a long time. When people say, 'Oh, you're not fit enough' and all these things, yeah, that's part of it. Draper explained that the myriad things that come with the Grand Slam experience wore him down during his early years on the tour. But now he's starting to look at things.

According to ATP Media, Draper is the seventh man in history to win the first three rounds at the Australian Open in five sets. He joined Adrian Mannarino (2024), Dominik Hrbaty (2006), Thomas Johansson (2005), Felix Mantilla (2003), Nicolas Lapentti (1999) and Steve Denton (1981).

“As a young player, when you enter these big events, you have to deal with the media, crowds of people, you are playing tournaments that you have wanted to play since you were young, you are expected to do well and everything. this kind of stuff,” he said, adding:

“I can say that it was strange for me at first. I feel like especially at the end of last year I built a lot of confidence, a lot of belief. I think winning titles and making the US Open semis, it just gave me that kind of security in my mind that I was good enough and that I was doing the right things. It gave me peace again.”

Once he's thought to be physically vulnerable, Draper slowly shows off his iron man chops.

“I think there's always that kind of question in my head about five sets, and can I do it?” he said. “You know, from the mental side of things and the physical, is my body going to hold up? I've been putting in a lot of work in general over time.”

The Brit, who faces Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round, says having injuries and problems has helped him overcome the problem.

“It seems like maybe by getting that time on the hip, I was able to focus on working on a few different things. I've been working a lot with a breathing coach and trying to get a better understanding of that. I've been staying. I've had problems with my sinews, so I think that's really helping.