Jack Draper hopes to learn from Rafael Nadal after becoming the second left-handed player this century to break into the Top 5
Jack Draper beat Matteo Arnaldi to reach his maiden ATP Masters 1000 clay semi-finals at the Madrid Open.
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Jack Draper and Rafael Nadal (via X/Miami Open/The Tennis Letter)
Jack Draper continues his meteoric rise in the ATP this season. The British star began the year as World No.15 but is set to break into the top 5 of the rankings. He becomes the second left-handed player since Rafael Nadal to achieve the feat this century and has admitted he hopes to learn from the Spaniard.
Draper began his astonishing form last season when he reached his first Grand Slam semi-finals at the US Open. However, he took his game to a higher level this year and has continued to soar high. He reached his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final in Indian Wells after stunning Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final.
He defeated Holger Rune to claim the title. He arrived at the Monte Carlo Masters without much clay experience and was dealt with in the Round of 16 by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. At the Madrid Open, he has shown that he has learned some good lessons about the clay court, as he is yet to drop a set.
On Thursday (May 1), he defeated Novak Djokovic’s conqueror Matteo Arnaldi 6-0, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Madrid Open. He is set to become the second left-handed player since Nadal to crack the Top 5 of the ATP. When asked about the achievement, he revealed that he hopes to learn more from the tennis legend.
Obviously, he is left-handed, and I grew up watching him, but I never tried to think that I was going to be like him on a clay court because he is pretty good. But I think there are definitely things I can learn from the way he searches for his forehand, the way he dictates, and the way he intimidates opponents, especially on clay. I am learning to search more for my forehand and to try to dictate what I am trying to do.
Jack Draper said via Madrid Open Press
Draper’s transformation on clay has been super-incredible. The British star’s relentless efforts have paid off as he continues to understand the surface. He now has a difficult task against Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open.
Jack Draper gives an assessment of his growth on clay this season
Jack Draper not only became a top 5 player but is now the fourth British player to break into the ATP top 5. He joins Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman, and Andy Murray in the group. Also, he’s the first British player to do so in 17 years. Assessing his performance at the Madrid Open, he revealed that he prepared adequately for the tournament.
I have been doing everything in all areas pretty well and am excited to keep on going. Hopefully it keeps coming together. I am just well prepared. I work really hard every day and do all the right things off the court and on the court. When I go out to play I have a feeling it is going to be OK because I have prepared so well.
Jack Draper said
Draper now has a big opportunity of reaching the Madrid Open final ahead of his clash with Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals. The British star has aced the Italian thrice and has won all their meetings. The last time they faced each other was at the Vienna Open last year, where Draper won in straight sets.
How Jack Draper overtook Novak Djokovic to become World No.5
Jack Draper has overtaken Novak Djokovic to become the new World No.5 in the ATP live rankings. Djokovic lost his opening match at the Madrid Open, which means he will only gain 10 rankings points, moving up to a total of 4,130 points. The total points that Draper currently holds is 4,190, thanks to his run of four wins in Madrid.
If he does win the semi-finals and the final, he will hold 4,790 ranking points, but he won’t be able to move higher than No.5 as Taylor Fritz, who is No.4, would have a 25-point lead over the British star.
Draper’s rise to the ATP elite has been astonishing. He only cracked into the Top 20 in September last year after reaching the semi-finals of the US Open. He then debuted in the top 10 after winning his biggest career title in Indian Wells last month.
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