“Frustrated,” Jack Draper Explains the Reasons for His Loss to Carlos Alcaraz in Rome
Jack Draper's Italian Open run came to an end on Wednesday (May 14) after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.
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Jack Draper, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via ATP/X)
Jack Draper’s hopes of reaching his second clay-court Masters 1000 semi-finals came to an end after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. The British star had been playing his best tennis on clay in recent weeks, but wasn’t up to the level of Alcaraz. After the match, he revealed why he lost to the Spaniard.
Draper had won just nine tour-level matches on clay before this season. He had little experience with the techniques of the surface, but has surprisingly adapted faster than usual. He reached the final of the Madrid Open without dropping a set in the process. In Rome, he continued with his form until the quarter-finals.
He had won his last two meetings against Alcaraz, but this time around, the Spaniard was seeking revenge. However, the British No.1 began the match well and led 4-2 before the half-hour mark. But he let a couple of unforced errors, which saw Alcaraz capitalize on it to win four straight games.
Draper didn’t get over the painful first-set slip, and it affected him in the second set. He let Alcaraz run the show, hitting brilliant forehand shots and good serves. He increased the tempo of the match in the closing stages, coming down from 2-4 to level 4-4, but Alcaraz was up for the task and claimed the victory, 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and thirty-seven minutes.
After the match, a frustrated Draper was asked how he lost the match, especially in the first set. The World No.5 revealed that heading into the match, emotionally, he was too negative and that affected his game. Jack Draper said via Sky Sports:
I think Carlos [Alcaraz] was better tactically than me, better emotionally. I sit here very frustrated with my match today. I think I could have tactically changed up a few things better. Emotionally, I was too negative, I think a lot of that is how much tennis I’ve played, but also top players, they bring that out of you, so Carlos, overall, was the better player today and deserved to win.
Draper currently boasts a 22-6 win-loss record this season. He has been one of the most outstanding players on tour this year. Meanwhile, Alcaraz will face Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals of the Italian Open.
Jack Draper is looking forward to the Roland Garros after the Italian Open exit
Jack Draper opened his clay season account with a win over Marcos Giron in Monte Carlo but was beaten by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the round of 16. The British star played unconvincingly at the Monte Carlo but made huge changes to his game in Madrid and Rome. He now has 10 wins on clay this season. He revealed during his press conference that he’s proud of the way he has approached the clay season, and is now looking forward to Roland Garros. Jack Draper said:
I've been playing some really good stuff. I'm really proud of the way I've approached the clay season, especially so far. Obviously good results. But I know that if I want to be a top, top player, I have to be consistent week in, week out. I'm looking forward to going to Roland Garros because I haven't been able to play very good tennis there in the past. This time hopefully it's a good opportunity for me to go and really put my game on the court and carry on with the momentum where I left off. Definitely after today I'll be very hungry to want to show some really good stuff there.
Draper will now recharge his batteries ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 25. The British star didn’t do well at the tournament last year as he crashed out in the first round after losing to Jesper De Jong in five sets. With the form he’s currently in, he has a chance of reaching the final stages of the tournament.
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