Jack Draper Reveals Inspiration From Rafael Nadal With his Sleeveless Look at the US Open

Jack Draper Reveals Inspiration From Rafael Nadal With his Sleeveless Look at the US Open

Jack Draper Rafael Nadal (via The Tennis Letter)

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Rafael Nadal’s trademark style left a lasting mark on tennis, pairing power with a distinctive look that fans admired for years. Bandanas, sleeveless shirts, and an aggressive game became symbols of his era. At this year’s U.S. Open, Jack Draper brought back echoes of that image with his own modern twist.

In his opening match against Federico Agustin Gomez, Draper not only fought through a four-set contest but also turned heads with his outfit. The British No. 1 wore a grey muscle tee and white shorts from sponsor Vuori, combining performance with style.

I always grew up watching Rafa. I always wanted to rock the sleeveless one day. There was a couple years ago I didn’t have the arms for it. I looked terrible but now it’s coming together.

Draper’s physical presence added to the impression. Standing 6’4” and weighing 90kg, he has built a powerful frame to match his heavy game. He believes this strength is crucial to competing at the top level of the sport.

His rapid progress has been supported by a dedicated team. Fitness coach Matt Little and physio Shane Annun, both former members of Andy Murray’s camp, joined Draper this year. Their guidance has helped him accelerate his development and prepare for the demands of elite competition.

Jack Draper reaches US Open second round

British star Jack Draper returned to action at the U.S. Open on Monday after missing time with an arm injury. The 2024 semi-finalist faced a tough challenge in his opener but managed to come through.

Jack Draper (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Jack Draper (via X/The Tennis Letter)

The fifth seed defeated Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-2 to move into the second round. He wasted a match point in the third-set tie-break but quickly regrouped. In the fourth set, Draper played with control and closed out the match after just over three hours.

The British left-hander had not hit groundstrokes for more than two weeks and had gone nearly a month without serving. On Monday, his first-serve speed averaged just under 110 mph, yet it proved effective enough to handle the pressure.

Gomez produced 50 winners and even erased a match point with a fierce forehand in the tie-break. Still, Draper broke early in the fourth set and never gave back the lead, sealing a confident return to competition.

Novak Djokovic breaks another Rafael Nadal record

Novak Djokovic opened his U.S. Open campaign with a strong performance on Monday. The 38-year-old Serbian, winner of 24 major titles, defeated American teenager Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 in the first round at Flushing Meadows. His focus now shifts toward chasing a record 25th Grand Slam crown.

Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)

Djokovic controlled the match from the start, using his experience to handle the 19-year-old challenger. Tien managed to push the second set into a tie-break but was unable to sustain the pressure. Djokovic’s consistency proved too much as he closed out the contest in straight sets.

With the victory, Djokovic extended his remarkable streak of first-round wins at the majors to 75, dating back to 2006. Even more impressive, 55 of those matches ended in straight sets. His dominance in the early stages of Grand Slams has set a benchmark rarely seen in the Open Era.

For Tien, the match was a chance to test himself against one of the greatest players in history. Despite showing flashes of promise, the American struggled under the weight of the moment. Djokovic, however, moved forward with confidence as he continues his pursuit of another milestone.