JACK DRAPER is back competing on the men’s tour for the first time since last August’s US Open. His return appearance came in the Dubai Tennis Championships last month, where he beat Quentin Halys 7(10) – 6(8), 6-3 in the round of 32.
His following match was an unfortunate loss to Arthur Rinderknech, but the British number one is now back in California ready to defend his Indian Wells title this year.
Back in the early months of 2025, Draper won his first ATP 1000 title, beating Denmark’s Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2. On the route to the final, the then 23-year-old incredibly defeated Jenson Brooksby, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz, on the way to claiming the biggest title of his career.
However, the former world number four had to unfortunately retire from the 2025 US Open last August, due to bone bruising in his dominant left arm.
Draper managed to beat Argentina’s Federico Agustin Gomez in four sets in the first round, and was drawn against Zizou Bergs in the second, but was forced into a walkover due to his injury, and hasn’t played a competitive game until now.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Draper said: “I’ve been craving the feeling of competing for a very long time.
“I’ve been out for a long period of time. Especially in an individual sport you become quite isolated, there’s lots of difficult moments.
“I was very happy with the week in Dubai. It wasn’t so much about my level, it was how I was going to respond to the matches. I was proud of getting out there and competing hard and doing what I love once again.”
After receiving a bye in the first round of this years Indian Wells tournament, the 24-year-old got his title defence off to a strong start, beating Roberto Batista Agut in three sets on Saturday 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
“It felt great because of such good memories here from last year, but at the same time, difficult, because I’m probably underprepared for this tournament compared to how I would like to be,” he told BBC Sport after the win.
“I started a little slow, but then fought back hard and found a really good level towards the end. I can only go in one direction from here.”
Draper then overcame Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets 6-1, 7-5 last night, claiming the first inside 32 minutes, but Argentina’s world number 20 made it harder in the second.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Draper said: “I’m only just getting to the point where I’m playing without pain in my arm, so it’s not easy to feel really confident.
“Obviously I’ve been playing a little bit, but I’ve got to accept that my tennis isn’t going to be completely there for a while.”
The holder is now through the round of 16, but it’s not an easy match-up, as Novak Djokovic awaits him tomorrow evening. It’s the first time these two will meet since Draper took the first set off Djokovic on his Wimbledon debut in 2021.
Speaking yesterday to BBC Sport, he had this to say about his next opponent: “I’ve been watching him since I was a young boy, and in my opinion he’s the best player of all-time.
“When you come up against him you know he’s going to be there mentally, you know he’s going to make it an incredibly tough match and play some crazy tennis. I’m going to have to be ready for that.
“Anyone who’s in the game and knows tennis, knows that what he’s done in the sport and what he’s still doing is mind blowing.”
As Draper knows from last year, you’ve got to beat the best to be the best, and is there really anyone better than the 24-time Grand Slam winner?
