Jack Draper battles five-setters and fitness to set up Alcaraz showdown
Share:
British No 1 hopes physical issues are behind him as he gears up for tough Australian Open fourth round test. In the satisfying aftermath of his long-awaited breakthrough year, as he took a brief moment to rest before setting his sights on new goals, Jack Draper had plenty to look forward to. The initial plan for his pre-season had been to spend some of his time sparring with Carlos Alcaraz at the Spaniard’s home away from home at the Ferrero Tennis Academy in Villena, Alicante.
![[Tumaini Carayol]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2022/03/01/Tumaini_Carayol_v2.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
This was clearly an exciting prospect. Since one of his goals in the new year was to chase after Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, it was a perfect opportunity to see how one of the leading lights of the new era of men’s tennis works behind the scenes and to refine his own game against the best.
![[Jack Draper celebrates after beating Carlos Alcaraz at the Queen's Club.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/ab04c093437bec28596cb24742234d06c5c17060/0_209_3936_2362/master/3936.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Instead, a familiar obstacle sprung up. Midway through the off-season, Draper suffered a hip injury that forced him off the court. Rather than sustaining the momentum he had built in his brilliant final months of the 2024 season and sharing epic battles with Alcaraz on the back courts in south-eastern Spain, he felt his progess slipping away.
During the worst point of the injury crisis, as his hip pain seeped into his back, Draper struggled to walk. He had no choice but to abandon the schedule he had planned. His inactivity left him feeling like he had no purpose. The delirious first week here in Melbourne has turned out to be one of the most important experiences of Draper’s career. In the absence of form and confidence due to his preparation, he has had to scrap. He has battled through three consecutive five-set matches, spending 12 hours, 34 minutes on court, and facing moments of peril each time. Each time he neared defeat, Draper stood up and produced his best.
