Nick Kyrgios has given his verdict on Jack Draper’s chances of winning a Grand Slam title in the future.
The Brit has enjoyed an outstanding past 12 months, having risen from a powerful lefty with all the tools to compete into a genuine threat in each tournament he enters.
Even during this clay-court season, which was expected to be the period where he struggled most, the world number five enjoyed surprising success by reaching the Madrid Open final and the Round of 16 in the French Open.
Even the great Chris Evert has been surprised by Draper’s form of late.
It is this rapid rise to prominence that has led Kyrgios to make a bold prediction.
Nick Kyrgios makes Jack Draper prediction
Quizzed by his fans on an Instagram Live, he was asked all manner of questions.
They wanted to know his thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s win over Alexander Zverev, what the future holds for Joao Fonseca, and more.
However, one supporter asked if the Australian felt that, given his recent form, Jack Draper was a genuine contender for Grand Slam titles in the future.
Nick Kyrgios’ answer was short and sweet for fans of British tennis: ‘Yeah for sure. Draper has been amazing. It’s not really surprising, he works super hard, he is a big lefty. I think he can definitely, definitely win a slam, for sure.’
Jack Draper can be a huge threat going into Wimbledon
Coming off the back of what many would consider to be his worst surface, there is very real and justified hype around Draper heading into the grass-court season.
After all, he has all the weapons needed to be a superb threat, with a thunderous serve, a tidy volley, and a forehand that has caused problems for almost everyone on tour in recent months.
Around this time last year felt like the real breakthrough for the 23-year-old, as he beat Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s before heading to Wimbledon.
That time, there was much excitement, making a second-round exit to Cam Norrie all the more disappointing.
The Draper from then could not be more different to the Draper from now though, who is completely transformed physically, mentally and tactically, all for the better.
Whoever is drawn up against this Brit in front of the British crowd at Wimbledon is sure to be in for a daunting task. Perhaps he could seek to follow in Andy Murray’s footsteps.
