DDeep inside the Vienna Skating Club, a massive rink that was temporarily converted into an indoor tennis court in October, Jack Draper is training hard ahead of the final game of the season. His sparring partner that day was Frances Tiafoe, a top-20 fighter also known for his humor during intense fights. As they toiled in training, the Americans kept reacting to their spectacular winners, eyes darting down the court, each time trying to catch their opponent’s eye so he could pull off another joke.
Draper, however, had other priorities. The English number one is completely locked in, focused solely on giving his best in his limited playing time. In the process, he played some brutally aggressive tennis, and after an hour of intense training, their session ended with Draper leading by a set.
This year, Draper has continually pointed out that his breakout performance is the result of his recent relentless routine and professionalism. In that quiet Vienna hall, with no one else watching, his attention was undeniable.
“When I was younger, I didn’t have much of a work mentality,” said Draper, who turns 23 on Dec. 22. “When you’re young and you step into the world of tennis, you don’t really know what it is.
“It’s a brutal change because you realize that if you want to be good, you have to mature and become an adult at 20 years old. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to put in the hard work. I didn’t want to sacrifice. .I don’t want to be professional.
That mindset didn’t change until last year when Draper missed the grass-court season, which included Wimbledon, with a shoulder injury. Until then, numerous injuries and physical issues essentially defined his career.
“That’s when I really needed to change,” he said. “I’m very, very proud of the ways that I’m really different, and I’ve gotten a lot of rewards from those decisions. A lot of good things have come from trying to be better, to grow, to be a better person, to be more Independent and more like a man.
Come the weekend in Austria, Draper’s hard work paid off in another big way, as he won the biggest title of his career at the Vienna Open, his first ATP 500 success. It’s the perfect way to celebrate his year as the new leader of British men’s tennis. He ended 2024 with his first two ATP titles, reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal at the U.S. Open in September and reaching a career-high ranking of 14th.
Things haven’t always been smooth sailing this year. Halfway through the season, it seemed like every match he played ended in a brutal three-set loss. Still, Draper dealt with his disappointments and doubts maturely, always hoping he was on the right track. “I think it’s good for me,” he said.
“I often hear people say that it’s not the achievement that feels great, but the process of achieving it. Going through it all; all the work, doubts, worries, and questions like: ‘Am I going to do this? Am I going to do that? The actual work you put in is the enjoyable part.
“Looking back on the year, I had some amazing moments that made me feel good, but I also learned to enjoy all the hard work and all the tough things that come with it.”
Maturity has been a common theme throughout the year, and he has gained greater independence outside the courtroom. A few years ago, his home kitchen was uncharted territory, and he decided to ask his good friend Jannik Sinner for advice.
“I don’t know how to make anything,” he said with a laugh. “He’s Italian, so I thought he knew how to make pasta. I should have asked my mom, but I didn’t. He made delicious pasta and taught me how to make it.
In recent months, however, he has bought his own house and moved back in with his close friend and former roommate, England player Paul Jab. Prior to the move, Draper spent several months this year living at the National Tennis Center in Roehampton, south London, but the arrangement was less than ideal. He accepted the independence and responsibilities that came with caring for his family and himself, including cooking. Naturally, he starts to feel more like an adult.
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“I’m much calmer,” he said. “I’m more confident in my tennis and my life off the court. As a young player, it’s hard. You’re so busy playing tennis, your [personal] Life is kind of on hold. But I know there’s a good balance to be had. In London I can train but I also have my own place. I feel very fulfilled in a lot of things and I become more like myself.
New doors opened to him. The day after competing in the Davis Cup, he sat front row at the Burberry London Fashion Week show – “a bit of a weird experience” – a completely different world to his usual surroundings, but one he enjoyed afternoon. “People would say, ‘Oh, he’s got a modeling contract’ or something like that. I really didn’t know. I did a few things here and there.
Among all the prominent athletes and celebrities there, Draper specifically sought out a photo with British rapper Skepta: “I said to him, ‘I listen to your music before I play, I respect you, I think you’re an amazing person. Incredible artist. He said he would happily clean his house while listening to classical music, and when his favorite childhood band Oasis announced a reunion tour this year, he made sure to find a ticket.
Draper also got his first taste of controversy this year. On match point against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open, the referee failed to notice the ball bounce slightly twice before Draper hit a volley winner. Afterwards, as fans (and some players) gathered on his social media page with pitchforks and torches, Draper acknowledged the mistake but insisted he was indeed unsure about the double bounce.
While the series of questions he received on the topic ahead of the U.S. Open may have made many appear overly defensive, it was impressive how patiently and sincerely Draper addressed the issue, his honesty This means that the storm will soon subside. However, it reminded him that constant scrutiny and even abuse was something he had no choice but to get used to.
“My first pro fight in 2018, I think I won love and love [6-0, 6-0]I’m a terrible person — they’re going to find my mom,” Draper said. “Every game, win or lose, you get hundreds of messages from people and you can’t really stop it.
“If I lose a game these days, just go to my latest Instagram account – you’ll probably see about 100 messages with clown emojis and snakes and all that kind of stuff. You can’t control it. .Everyone has it, especially girls. Girls are much worse off than boys.
If a player gets more attention, it usually means they win more games, which remains Draper’s ultimate goal. After the Vienna Open, as he considered his goals for next season, it was interesting to see him mention two famous names without hesitation. Draper hopes that by 2025, he might start chasing the likes of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz while competing for the biggest titles. His growth on and off the court shows these lofty goals are achievable.
