What Draper must do to bridge Sinner & Alcaraz gap

When Jack Draper mentioned missing a chance following his French Open defeat, he was not just referring to missing out on a quarter-final spot.

Britain’s top five was angry that he had missed a chance to test himself against Jannik Sinner, the country’s top ranked individual.

Due to losing to 62nd-ranked Alexander Bublik in the fourth round, Draper was unable to avenge the semi-final defeat by Sinner from Italy.

The 23-year-old Englishman still has to make up the difference between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slams, which both served as sharp reminders of.

Former world number four Greg Rusedski, a member of the British Empire, stated to BBC Sport that “Draper is on the cusp of doing what he’s doing.”

“Jack hasn’t been in good health for a full year,” he said.

Draper has made significant progress over the past year, becoming one of the ATP Tour’s mostfeared players.

His Grand Slam triumphed at the US Open, and it was followed by victories in the final 16 of the Australian Open, which is now in Paris.

However, with the latter having won the last five Grand Slams together, Sinner, 23, and Alcaraz, 22, have a monopoly on the majors.

The British number one acknowledged that it was “extremely challenging” not to have the opportunity to evaluate his level against his good friend Sinner in Paris.

In contrast to Sinner’s 356 and Alcaraz’ 300, Draper has much less Grand Slam experience than the leading players. He also has only 168 Tour-level matches to his credit.

I’m far behind those boys, I tell them. “Draper said, “I still have a lot to learn.”

They are probably a year or two behind me, and they have undoubtedly accomplished much more.

They’ve played twice as many ATP matches as I have, according to one player.

Draper lost to Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong in the first round, who finished 39th overall at the French Open last year.

Both ATP matches played over three sets, where he has won one of the biggest tournaments outside of the majors, Indian Wells, and the Madrid final, both of which have helped him advance.

He is now in fourth place after the French Open, thanks to his improved fitness.

Although Novak Djokovic, Lorenzo Musetti, and Tommy Paul are Roland Garros quarter-finalists, he has already outpaced American Taylor Fritz in the live rankings.

My level is constantly improving, but it’s not just tennis. Draper referred to Sinner and Alcaraz as having the same level of consistency in what they’re doing.

Even though I’ve been more consistent, it’s still important to do it, and these tournaments are just that.

Draper now concentrates on the grass-court season, which, of course, culminates in Wimbledon.

In three appearances, he has yet to go beyond the second round, but he has the ability to thrive on grass, especially with his potent first serve.

Former British women’s number one Annabel Croft said, “The shorter, sharper points will suit him, and the leftie serve, which has so much variety, helps him achieve that.”

He can swing it into the body, and the kick from a right-hander is a nightmare because he has “every kind of serve you can imagine.”

Draper’s high seeding will increase his chances of a successful run.

The left-handed Englishman won his first ATP title on the Stuttgart grass last year, warming up for Wimbledon.

Next week, Draper plans to take a week off the court and concentrate on practice before playing at Queen’s Club, but he won’t be competing there.

“I’ll be happy to move on to a faster surface, and I’m much more comfortable moving on,” said Draper.

Draper will be subject to even more scrutiny this time around as the British number one. This is his second appearance at Wimbledon.

Draper, who faced challenging competition this year at the Australian Open and French Open, believes he will succeed with the support of the crowd.

Because you use the crowd to fuel you, Rusedski said, “It’s very simple to deal with expectation when you’re playing well.”

Pressure makes things difficult when you’re not playing well, not when you’re not.

“You end up trying too hard, and things never go well.” If you’re putting in the work, and Jack is doing it, you have to naturally allow it to happen.

Draper has struggled with anxiety during his best professional years, and he vomited on the court in the semi-final matchup against Sinner in New York.

He now concludes that his illness was not caused by stress and sought advice from a breathing coach.

“I was able to determine that my injury had something to do with the fact that I was taking a lot of painkillers. He continued, “That wasn’t the anxiety.”