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The Paradox of Elite Sport: Draper’s Journey to Believing He Belongs
An intriguing contradiction exists within the realm of elite sports. Many aspiring professionals dedicate their formative years to pursuing a career at the highest level, only to reach that pinnacle and grapple with feelings of inadequacy. This phenomenon is not uncommon; even legendary figures like Roger Federer experienced self-doubt throughout their careers. For Jack Draper, the journey to internalizing his position among the world’s best tennis players has been a protracted process.
Early Expectations and Physical Challenges
From a young age, Draper was heralded as a potential star. His junior career showcased undeniable talent, but similar to Andy Murray, his physical development presented obstacles. A series of injuries disrupted his progress, hindering his ability to consistently compete at the top level.
Ascension to the Top 10 and Monte-Carlo
However, as the clay-court season commences at the prestigious Monte-Carlo Country Club, Draper’s current standing reflects a significant breakthrough. He has ascended to world No. 7, breaking into the top 10 rankings after securing his maiden Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells the previous month. Furthermore, the 23-year-old occupies the No. 3 position in the year-to-date rankings. With minimal ranking points to defend leading up to Wimbledon, the left-handed player has a significant opportunity to climb even higher.
Confronting Imposter Syndrome
Draper’s confidence in his abilities is currently at an all-time high. Nevertheless, he maintains a relentless drive for self-improvement, consistently questioning whether he has achieved enough. “I have confidence in my tennis and myself, without a doubt,” Draper stated, while relaxing against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. “When I step onto the court to compete, I feel a certain persona takes over where I fight for every point. It’s an amazing feeling in that environment. But when I initially joined the Tour, and I was discussing this recently with Jacob [Fearnley, another British player], I experienced a kind of imposter syndrome. Being in the locker room with these incredible players who perform at such a high level, you can’t help but wonder: ‘Do I truly belong here? Am I worthy of this stage?’”
The Persistent Need to Prove Himself
He continued, “Even now, in my current position, and I anticipate this will persist throughout my career, particularly in tennis where victories can be followed by early exits in subsequent tournaments, I constantly feel the need to validate myself. I always feel the necessity to demonstrate that I merit my place at the highest echelon, not just to others, but also to myself. This sense of needing to prove oneself is something that may never entirely dissipate.”
Winning Titles Dampens Doubts
Victories serve as a powerful antidote to these lingering doubts. A pivotal moment occurred on grass in Stuttgart last summer when Draper captured his first career title. This triumph instilled a “massive sense of calm.” He acknowledged the inherent difficulty of professional tennis, noting that many highly ranked players conclude their careers without ever securing a tournament win.
Overcoming Injury and Achieving Top Form
Following his second title win in Vienna at the close of the previous year, Draper sustained a hip injury prior to the Australian Open. Despite this setback, he exhibited his resilience and competitive spirit by winning three consecutive five-set matches to reach the round of 16. Having previously contended with shoulder, abdominal, and hip issues, concerns about his body’s fragility would be understandable. However, his stellar performance at Indian Wells, which included a victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals, reinforced his belief in his ability to contend with the very best.
Building Belief and Looking Ahead
“[Winning Indian Wells] provides immense belief and confidence,” Draper affirmed. “It’s peculiar. I felt like I had been progressing towards significant moments like that for some time, especially towards the end of last year. My level was consistently rising, I was improving week by week, and my confidence was growing. Then, unfortunately, I incurred that injury at the end of last year and went to Australia, where I was physically out of sorts, which impacted my tennis.”
“But that experience in Australia, accumulating those matches, and then achieving some wins in Doha, was crucial for regaining my previous form and even surpassing it. This victory further solidifies my belief that I belong at this elite level and that I have genuinely earned my current ranking. Now, my focus is on continued progress, sustained improvement, and maintaining the habits that have propelled me to this point.”
Grand Slam Aspirations
Draper’s ambitions extend beyond current achievements, with his sights firmly set on securing the ultimate prize in tennis: a Grand Slam title. “Winning Stuttgart was pivotal in making me realize, ‘Wow, I’ve accomplished this, and I can build upon it,’” he explained. “Since then, reaching the US Open semi-finals, winning Vienna, and now Indian Wells, all these accomplishments contribute to the feeling that I am heading in the right direction. I am pursuing goals that once seemed unattainable. Having achieved things I previously doubted were possible empowers me to move forward with the belief that my future objectives are realistic and within reach.”
Clay Court Season and Future Prospects
Clay courts may present a unique set of challenges for Draper. Last year, he only managed four match wins in six clay-court events, culminating in a first-round exit at Roland Garros. However, several of these defeats were tight three-set losses against strong opponents. His first match in Monte-Carlo is against either Denis Shapovalov or Marcos Giron. While acknowledging that clay is “not my preferred surface initially,” productive training sessions with Fearnley at the National Tennis Centre have instilled optimism and eagerness to assess his performance on clay. He also recognizes the long-term benefits of gaining experience on this surface.
Embracing the Clay Court Challenge
“I still need to gain confidence and consistently win matches on clay, but I genuinely believe that if I can achieve success over the next month or so, it will significantly enhance my prospects for the remainder of the season,” the Londoner stated.
“I still have much to prove to myself and on this surface. I believe that will come with time and increased experience. My game is continuously evolving, my tactical awareness is improving, and I am becoming physically stronger. With all these factors converging, I am keen to see how effective I can be on clay over the next month and a half. I have a strong conviction that I can be genuinely effective on this surface, without a doubt.”