Getting through groundhog day – how Draper became Masters champion

Some people were quick to question Jack Draper after he had to retire from his January Australian Open match against Carlos Alcaraz.

Was the British athlete’s body designed to excel in a sport that was physically demanding? In pivotal situations, could he mentally transcend the line?

Eight weeks later, Draper has addressed any persistent critics.

He won the biggest award at Indian Wells on Sunday, taking home the most of his resume. For the first time, he has also made the top 10.

At the Australian Open, Draper was battling a hip issue that required regular painkillers in order to play.

He made it through three exhausting sets of five sets to advance to the fourth round, demonstrating that he had already strengthened his endurance, but Alcaraz eventually took its toll.

Afterward, Draper predicted that for the rest of his career, he might have to deal with what he termed hip tendonitis.

There were more challenging choices to make.

The British number one also opted not to participate in a tournament in Rotterdam in early February and did not participate in the Davis Cup match against Japan.

He came back later that month, winning the Qatar Open, before traveling to Indian Wells.

The left-hander’s technical and tactical abilities flourished in the Californian desert because of his greater body belief.

The platform was laid by a consistent serving that incorporated dangerous, wide, flatter, and pacy serves.

His forehand changed from punchy to loaded with spin, keeping his foes guessing, and his strong footwork made it easier for him to stay in rallies longer.

His mother Nicky told BBC Sport, “His serve percentage has really increased over the past nine months, and that makes a huge difference.”

“But I also believe that he’s been doing very well on his forehand down the line.” Some of those players are almost anticipating that he will hit a cross-court forehand. They aren’t sure when he is hitting a flatter one in the future, though.

I’ve seen a lot of them trying to hit the forehand because they don’t have the proper footwork because they believe the ball is going the other way.

Draper has a strong influence on his success, thanks to coach James Trotman, who has worked with him since he was a teenager.

According to him, “Jack has a way of playing that we should be focusing on first and foremost to execute.”

Andy Murray, the former world no. 1, may be in Novak Djokovic’s coaching room right now, but Draper continues to be influenced by the legendary British tennis player.

The newly retired Scots team’s physiotherapist Shane Annun and fitness coach Matt Little are now a part of Draper’s inner circle.

Just two years ago, Draper complained about being referred to as “the guy who gets injured all the time.”

He has increased his frequency of competition on the tour because of his improved fitness in the gym, which has helped him advance in the rankings.

Being away from home and getting up early on a daily basis is like Groundhog Day, Draper told BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller.

At the end of the day, I put in hours and hours on the court, in the gym, in the ice bath.

It functions like a typical job, she said. You may find it to be very enjoyable, but occasionally you find it difficult to leave.

You continue to do it as best as you can because you know it will pay off on a big stage.

Draper has spent nights in Indian Wells refueling with healthy takeaways while playing Monopoly Deal, a condensed version of the popular board game.

It’s one thing to do the hard work when you’re tired and really don’t want to, Draper said, “As much as I enjoy playing, being around my team, and doing the right thing,” Draper continued.

Draper has made a steady and steady increase over the past year.

His first trophy was won on Stuttgart grass in June of last year, followed by an ATP 500 hard-court victory in Vienna in October.

Although his nerves were exhibited by vomiting on the court in a defeat by eventual champion Jannik Sinner, his run to the US Open semi-finals caught the attention of the wider British public.

Draper began looking into a “breathing coach” to assist with the problem, and he cited Alcaraz’s performance as an example of how much he had improved his composure after the third set.

Before the Indian Wells final, he said, “I had some doubts about whether I would feel the same way, but I didn’t.”

I had a very strong focus on breathing and things I could control. That was a really impressive accomplishment.

It would seem logical to move up to Grand Slam glory after winning the Masters.

Coming through a 96-player field of the very best opponents is a strong indicator of future major success, as Dominic Thiem, Naomi Osaka, and Bianca Andreescu have demonstrated.

Draper’s most popular surface was the French Open clay courts and Wimbledon grass, but Draper won both.

His improved footwork and increasingly dangerous serve, which are suited for grass-court success, should help him with his clay-based struggles so far, while his improved footwork should be beneficial.

“I still think I have a lot to prove,” Draper continued.

I didn’t get it moving last year, but I don’t understand why I can’t put my best foot forward.