In the quiet halls of the Vienna Ice Skating Club, a temporary tennis battleground, Jack Draper was hard at work honing his craft. The 22-year-old British No. 1, fresh off a career-defining year, displayed unwavering focus as he sparred with fellow top-20 player Frances Tiafoe. While Tiafoe sought to inject levity into their intense practice session, Draper remained locked in, his sights set on extracting every ounce of improvement from their limited time on court.
This dedication and professionalism, Draper admits, was not always present in his approach to the game. “When I was younger, I didn’t really have much of a working mentality,” he confesses. “It’s a brutal change, because you realize that if you want to be good, you have to mature and be an adult when you’re 20 years old. I wasn’t quite ready for that.”
The Turning Point
It wasn’t until a shoulder injury forced him to miss the grass season, including Wimbledon, last year that Draper’s mindset shifted. “That’s when the penny dropped that I really needed to change,” he recalls. “I’m very, very proud of the way I took it upon myself to really be different and I’ve got a lot of rewards from those decisions. A lot of good things have come from just trying to really take it upon myself to be better and grow, be a better person, be more independent and just more of a man.”
Reaping the Rewards
The fruits of Draper’s labor were evident in his 2024 season, which saw him capture his first two ATP titles, reach a career-high ranking of 14, and make his maiden grand slam semi-final appearance at the US Open. Despite facing setbacks and doubts along the way, he remained committed to the process.
Going through all that; all the work, the doubts, the worries and the kind of like: ‘Am I going to do this? Am I going to that?’ It’s the actual work that you put in which is the enjoyable part.
Jack Draper on embracing the process
Growing Up and Moving Out
Off the court, Draper has also taken significant strides in his personal life. Having recently purchased his own place and moved in with fellow British player Paul Jubb, he’s embraced the responsibilities that come with independence, even learning to cook with help from his Italian friend Jannik Sinner.
“I’m a lot calmer,” Draper reflects on his growth. “I have a lot more belief in my tennis and my life outside of the court. It’s hard as a young player. You’re so busy with playing tennis, your personal life is kind of put on hold. But I’ve understood to have a good balance.”
Navigating New Territories
With success comes new experiences and challenges, as Draper discovered when he found himself at the center of a controversial moment during the Cincinnati Open. Despite the scrutiny that followed, he handled the situation with poise and sincerity, a testament to his growing maturity.
If a player is receiving more scrutiny, it usually means they are winning more matches, which remains Draper’s ultimate objective.
According to a close source
The Road Ahead
As Draper looks to the future, he’s setting his sights on the game’s biggest names and most prestigious titles. With his growth on and off the court, these lofty goals seem well within reach.
For now, the young Brit remains focused on the daily grind, knowing that each practice session, each match, and each life lesson brings him one step closer to his dreams. And if his 2024 season is any indication, Jack Draper’s star is only just beginning to rise.
