Jack Draper has stated that `fear and doubt` are his key motivators, pushing him to excel and become the best player he can be, irrespective of his current ranking. He made these comments as he prepares to compete at the Italian Open in Rome this week.
Draper recently saw his world ranking climb significantly following an impressive run at the Madrid Open last week. There, he reached his first-ever ATP 1000 final on clay, a surface often considered his weakest. Although he was ultimately defeated in a tough three-set match by Casper Ruud, his performance provided a considerable boost ahead of the French Open scheduled for late May.
Speaking about his rapid progress since reaching the US Open semi-finals last September, Draper told Sky Sports that before his quarter-final match in Madrid against Matteo Arnaldi, he was aware of the possibility of improving his ranking. However, his primary focus remained on match preparation and performing to the best of his ability in that specific game. He described the feeling after achieving the ranking milestone as amazing but stressed his continued desire for progression.
Fear as Motivation
Draper acknowledged that being a higher-ranked player brings more attention and obligations. He expressed increased self-confidence and a greater sense of belonging among the top-ranked players at tournaments, describing this feeling as a “dream come true.”
He revealed that he has always experienced fear and specifically fears his opponents. While some might view this as vulnerability, Draper sees it as his greatest asset. He believes this `fear and doubt` drives him to compete with maximum effort for every point out of respect for his competitors. He stressed that this fundamental motivation remains constant, regardless of his ranking level.
Looking back on his achievements over the past year, including winning his first ATP 250 title in Stuttgart, reaching the US Open semi-finals, and claiming his first ATP 500 title in Vienna, Draper sees these milestones as a source of reassurance. He feels he can draw upon these results when feeling low on confidence, reminding himself of his capabilities.
Annabel Croft Praises Draper`s Clay Court Performance
Tennis pundit Annabel Croft, speaking on Sky Sports News, highlighted Draper`s surprisingly high level of play on clay at the Madrid Open. She described his performance throughout the tournament as “spectacular,” particularly noting his powerful forehand, serving, and movement. Croft stated that he truly “announced himself” on the clay surface and anticipates keen interest in his performance at the French Open.
Raducanu and Boulter Praise Draper
Fellow British players Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter also expressed admiration for the 23-year-old`s current form, which includes an impressive 19-5 season record.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Raducanu commented on Draper`s rise, saying she found it “amazing to see what he`s achieved.” She recognized his ability to dominate matches with his game and found his consistent high performance “really cool to see.”
Boulter playfully mentioned that she intended to ask Draper for tips on playing on clay. She praised his recent “impressive” tennis, noting how significant it is to reach two Masters finals within a month, in addition to having already secured a title.
Boulter added that Draper`s success provides inspiration to other British players. Seeing someone from their environment performing so well encourages others to believe that they can achieve similar results. She expressed happiness for Draper and others doing well.
Brits in Action in Rome
Four British players are competing in Rome. Emma Raducanu is scheduled to face 21st seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round, having already split two previous matches against her this year. Raducanu advanced by overcoming Maya Joint in a three-set match in the first round.
Speaking after her first-round win, Raducanu told Sky Sports that the level of play was very high and praised Joint`s aggressive game. She was proud of how she handled the match and the difficulty of finishing it, thanking the late-night crowd for their support.
Cameron Norrie will play against former world No 1 Daniil Medvedev, while Jack Draper is also set to return to the court.
- Sonay Kartal vs Linda Noskova
- Emma Raducanu vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
- Cameron Norrie vs Daniil Medvedev
- Jack Draper vs Luciano Darderi
