Tennis took Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley on different paths from their days as junior rivals but they have converged again at the Australian Open. Fearnley recalled his first meeting with Draper on a green clay court in Hertfordshire when both were around 10 years old.
Now, 13 years later, they are the two British survivors in the men’s singles at Melbourne Park and will both contest third-round matches on Friday. Fearnley is confident he won that first salvo. “I think I remember his dad saying to my mum that he was going to make sure he got some clay-court lessons after the match,” the Scot said with a smile.
But “insane talent” Draper began to move to a different level, turning professional in 2018, while Fearnley, a late developer physically, headed off to college in the United States. The Scot has not looked back since beginning his tour career on the grass courts last summer, and Draper said: “I’m proud of Jacob. He’s an incredible player.
“We must have played each other 30 times when we were younger. He would be my archrival. Obviously we went down different paths. He went to university and did his thing there, but he’s always been a special talent. “He’s not going to stop at just top 100 or top 50. He’s going to be right at the top of the game. I think that’s a really good, healthy relationship for myself.
