Jack Draper is back on home soil and aims to produce a solid grass court season.
Draper produced a solid campaign on the European clay which included a run to the Madrid Open final and a fourth round showing at Roland Garros, the best of his career so far.
But the 23-year-old is thrilled to be back on grass and he is now competing at the Queen’s Club Championships.
He is seeded number two behind Carlos Alcaraz and the British public are expecting big things from Draper at Queen’s this week, though his participation was almost in jeopardy.
Jack Draper provides fitness update following an injury scare
Jack Draper commenced his Queen’s campaign with a straight sets victory against Jenson Brooksby.
The British number one lost just two points behind his first serve and did not face a break point during a dominant 6-3, 6-1 victory.
Following Draper’s first grass court match of 2025, Draper answered a question from a reporter about his fitness, after taking a heavy fall in training.
It left him not being able to train for two days, but he made a full recovery and he suffered no issues during his opening match at Queen’s. “I feel good. I feel good now,” Draper said.
“Last week in training I had a little niggle. I had to have a break for a couple of days to see it through. I was training on the courts here and took a really heavy fall. I was limping around for a day or so.
“But it wasn’t anything that was going to keep me from playing. I got out there today and I felt really good. I’m happy with that. Really happy, because, yeah, you never know how serious something is going to be.
“You know, yesterday I trained and I felt good. Then today I was just fine. Happy with that, and that’s not any concern to me from now on.”
Players thoroughly enjoy the chance to play in their home country.
Some also have the luxury of playing in a Grand Slam on home soil and Draper will have that chance once again when Wimbledon commences on June 30.
The World number six has yet to win an ATP title in the UK, but he aims to change that in 2025 and having access to his home comforts is helping to boost his chances of success.
“When I’m obviously at home, I get to be in my environment. I get all my home comforts. It’s very easy where I live to get here, get to Wimbledon,” he said.
“On the other hand, it’s a bit different because I’m so used to staying in hotels and sort of going out for meals with the team and stuff. On one hand, it’s amazing; one hand it’s a bit alien. Very fortunate to obviously stay home.
“All the other players are staying in hotels week in, week out. To have the ability to be in one place for a month is something I don’t take for granted. I think I feel more relaxed and more comfortable because of it.”
