Jack Draper channels his inner ‘Rafael Nadal’ as he discloses his right hand ability despite being left handed

While Rafael Nadal's left-handed game helped him dominate clay, Jack Draper seems to be finding his forte on hard court and grass.

Jack Draper channels his inner ‘Rafael Nadal’ as he discloses his right hand ability despite being left handed

Jack Draper (via Tennis TV), Rafael Nadal (via Instagram @rafaelnadal)

Jack Draper recently clinched his first Masters 1000 title. En route to victory at the 2025 Indian Wells, the Brit defeated several higher-ranked players like Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, before stunning two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals and brushing past Holger Rune comfortably in the finals.

Ahead of the Miami Open, Jack Draper, in an interview with Tennis TV, talked about playing left-handed despite being naturally right-handed. Draper subtly responded to being asked about this fascinating aspect about himself as being “just a weird guy”.

YouTube video

It’s an advantage. A lot of people ask me, you know, ‘How did that happen?’ or ‘That’s really strange’, and my answer is just that—I’m just a weird guy.

Jack Draper on playing left-handed despite being right-handed (via Tennis TV)

His ability to play left-handed often draws comparison with Rafael Nadal. The 22-time Grand Slam champion also played left-handed despite being naturally right-handed. Though Nadal’s left-handed game helped him dominate clay, Draper, on the other hand, seems to be finding his forte on hard court and grass.

FS Video

Jack Draper, who has made immense progress this season becoming a finalist at the Qatar Open and the champion at the Indian Wells, is now eyeing a Sunshine Double at the Miami Open. This feat has been accomplished by seven men only so far, and if Draper accomplishes it, he would be the first British person to do so.

Playing left-handed allowed Rafael Nadal to dominate clay

As a left-handed player, one of Rafael Nadal’s main strengths was his forehand, delivered with heavy topspin. After studying Nadal’s two-handed forehand when he was young, his coach and uncle Toni Nadal encouraged him to play left-handed for a natural advantage on the tennis court.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (via YouTube- Served with Andy Roddick)

Why am I good on that surface? I am a leftie which helps as I am able to push back the opponents with my forehand against their backhand. I was quick to be in control with my forehand. I was not amazing with my winners, but my high intensity took care of it. In a basic way, I was able to hit better quality shots without taking much risk.

Rafael Nadal via Served with Andy Roddick

The Spaniard also attributed one of the reasons for his success on clay courts to the fact that he plays left-handed, which helps as he is able to push back opponents with his forehand against their backhand. As the ‘King of Clay’, Nadal clinched a record 14 Roland Garros titles and won 63 of his 92 singles titles on this surface.

Jack Draper speaks about his evolution as a player

Jack Draper also spoke about his evolution as a tennis player to Tennis TV. Draper won his maiden ATP title in the grass court of Stuttgart last year by defeating Matteo Berrettini in the finals. In what was his best run in a Grand Slam, he reached the semifinals of the 2024 US Open where he lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. He then went on to win the Vienna Open last year too by defeating Karen Khachanov in the finals.

Jack Draper Indian Wells 2025
Jack Draper (via Instagram @jackdraper)

After I won my first title in the middle of last year in Stuttgart I felt like I was a lot calmer in my self. I felt like I belonged more and then obviously Vienna, US Open, and as time’s going on I feel more and more comfortable in my skin more and more comfortable that I do belong in the top of my game… there’s lots more to unlock.

Jack Draper via Tennis TV

Although Draper had to retire from the 2025 Australian open due to a persisting injury, he made a strong comeback in his next two tournaments. After winning the Indian Wells title, Draper has reached the top 10 ranking for the first time in his life, ascending to World No. 7.