Jack Draper: A breakthrough season that proved his immense potential
Our men’s discovery of the year: Racket One reflects on the tennis highlights of 2024. This year, Jack Draper finally proved — above all to himself — that the discussions about his remarkable abilities were justified. We delve into Draper’s key achievements and explore what makes his season truly stand out.
Jack Draper’s achievements this year show he is becoming a strong contender in the tennis world.
In June, Draper won his first ATP Tour title at the Stuttgart 250 event, where he defeated two-time champion Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.
In September, Draper reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open. Throughout the tournament, he won every match in straight sets, including hard-fought wins over Tomas Machac and Alex de Minaur, showcasing his resilience and determination. In the semi-final, Draper faced Jannik Sinner, losing in a dramatic and tense encounter. Despite feeling nauseous during the match, Draper did not withdraw and fought on until the end.
In October, Draper claimed his second title of the year at the Vienna 500, becoming the fourth British player since 2009 — after Andy Murray, Dan Evans, and Cameron Norrie — to win an ATP 500 title. He finished the year ranked No. 15 in the world, a remarkable rise from No. 61 at the end of 2023.
Jack Draper turned professional in 2018 and quickly emerged as one of the sport’s promising talents. However, his progress was hindered by a series of injuries. In August 2023, the British left-hander dropped out of the top 100 due to recurring shoulder issues, missing six months of the season. At one point, Draper even considered retiring from tennis. But, as is often the case in this sport, success requires not only talent but also immense patience. While his physical challenges continue — his semi-final showed these problems — Draper now appears more muscular and physically stronger than ever.
Interestingly, his father, Roger, was a talented amateur player, and his mother, Nicky, was a former British junior champion. Jack has already surpassed their achievements, but his potential is clearly far from exhausted.
Experts are now predicting that a Grand Slam final could be on the horizon for him — perhaps as soon as the Australian Open. However, the biggest challenge Jack will face in the coming season may not be his physical vulnerabilities, but the psychological pressure that comes with increased expectations. It’s never easy to compete when everyone is waiting for you to deliver something extraordinary.
Cover photo: instagram.com/jackdraper
