Jack Draper succumbs to injury as Carlos Alcaraz marches into Australian Open quarter-finals
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After an unforgettable week filled with frantic comebacks, limitless adrenaline and the satisfaction of pounding past old mental and physical barriers, defeat came quickly for a physically ruined Jack Draper on the vast, lonely surrounds of Rod Laver Arena.
![[The athleticism of Carlos Alcaraz proved too much for a weary Jack Draper in their Rd 4 clash.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b18bd15d630799d41b8ae7af50b8e849b251893e/0_5_3767_2261/master/3767.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Across from a special young player on the path towards an all-time greatness, Draper’s brilliant Australian Open run ended with a retirement in the fourth round as he was defeated 7-5, 6-1 ret. by Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday afternoon. Even in defeat, Draper ends his tournament having taken one of the most significant steps forward in his young career to date. After struggling with so many physical issues throughout his short time on tour, he found a way through three consecutive five-set matches, demonstrating his improved durability and stamina in the process.
![[After three straight five-set victories, Draper cut a dejected figure after retiring hurt against Alcaraz.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/ad9602c7a634d5fbdbd663173af80bf825743899/0_146_6411_3847/master/6411.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
While Draper was once extremely nervous about how his body would fare whenever he put it through gruelling best of five sets matches, he now understands that this format can now actually be a strength, that after four hours of battling he is now an extremely difficult opponent to beat.
![[Carlos Alcaraz greets fans after moving a step closer to the only grand slam title he’s yet to win.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/010808b93489a238ca2de6adf806a7ff1a4c98c9/0_216_3414_2048/master/3414.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Still, progress is never straightforward. After suffering a hip injury during the off-season, which he was still managing from the beginning of the tournament, it is obvious that the load he put it under over the past week was too much. By reaching the quarter-finals and matching his best ever run at the Australian Open, Alcaraz has lived up to his end of the bargain in the men’s draw. As he continues his pursuit of the Australian Open, the one grand slam title that has eluded him, Alcaraz will wait to see if Novak Djokovic will defeat Jiri Lehecka and set up a blockbuster quarter-final between the two greatest active male players.
