Jack Draper has positioned himself as British tennis’ brightest young talent after Andy Murray.
The 38-year-old retired at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris as Britain’s most successful tennis player in the Open Era.
Andy Murray won three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals and claimed the world number one ranking during his impressive career.
Now Draper aims to create a legacy of his own and some of those who helped Murray on the road to success are now in his camp.
Great Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith says Jack Draper has made a ‘smart’ coaching decision
Jack Draper has made significant improvements to his game over the past 18 months. His fitness is now at a higher level, he plays more aggressively with his forehand and his backhand is more effective.
Draper’s coaching team has played an excellent role in helping him win a Masters 1000 title, as well as reach a Grand Slam semi-final and achieve a career-high ranking of number four.
His team comprises longtime coach James Trotman, in addition to Shane Annun and Matt Little, who previously worked with Murray.
When the 23-year-old represents his country at the Davis Cup he works alongside Leon Smith, Great Britain’s team captain. He thinks Draper set up his team in a very intelligent manner as he looks to take his game to the next level.
“He has done a very smart thing. He has got a long time coach in James Trotman who I think is absolutely wonderful. He is one of our LTA national coaches, so it’s great he is choosing to stick with him,” Smith told BBC.
“But then he has airlifted Shane who was the long time physio of Andy and Matt Little who was the strength and conditioning coach and said you are coming with me.
“I think importantly they understand what it’s like to go through slams and the second week of slams, the latter stages, and not just what is happening with the body – they are so experienced in that – but also what he is going through.
“How he is going to cope. What the conversation is like. How you talk to the athlete and player, it’s so important you get the feel of the situation and I think that’s important for him.”
Jack Draper aims to for glory at the Queen’s Club Championships
Draper is aiming to win his second title of the season at the Queen’s Club Championships.
British number one Draper is into the Queen’s semi-finals after beating America’s Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in a tricky match in hot conditions.
This result ensured Draper a top four seed at Wimbledon, but in order to reach the final at Queen’s, he must defeat Jiri Lehecka.
The Czech player has yet to drop a set and he is looking very dangerous on the grass courts this season. Draper is still finding his feet on the grass after a long stint on clay, but backs himself to become more comfortable on the surface.
“It’s just such a hard adjustment,” said Draper. “I really tried on the clay to play a certain way, to be aggressive in the back court, to be tough from the back of the court, and I spent probably like a month and a half on the clay.
“This is still [early] because I didn’t practise too much before the tournament with certain things. I’m sort of going by ear out there a little bit, and I’m trying to become more and more comfortable on the grass.
“When you get more comfortable in the movement, more comfortable in what you’re trying to do out there, it just starts clicking.”
