Jack Draper wishes ‘archrival’ Jacob Fearnley well as Britons shine in Melbourne 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.
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.
Fearnley recalled his first meeting with Draper on a green clay court in Hertfordshire when both were around 10 years old.
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.
“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.
