Former Grand Slam champion Juan Martín del Potro has publicly expressed his belief that Britain’s rising star Jack Draper possesses the talent to challenge the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, but he cautioned that Draper must first regain confidence in his physical health. Del Potro, who lifted the US Open trophy in 2009, highlighted that the British player’s path to the elite tier hinges on consistency, fitness, and the ability to cope with the pressure that comes with performing on tennis’s biggest stages. Del Potro’s own career was marred by a succession of wrist and knee problems that ultimately forced him to retire in 2022 after a distinguished run that saw him reach a career‑high ranking of world No. 3 and claim a Davis Cup title for Argentina.
His personal experience with injury gives weight to his comments about Draper’s situation. Draper, currently positioned at world No.
28, announced a determined comeback in February after spending nearly six months sidelined by a bone‑stress injury in his left arm. The 24‑year‑old’s recent résumé includes a stunning victory over Novak Djokovic during his title defence at Indian Wells, which propelled him to the quarter‑finals, and a straight‑sets defeat to Reilly Opelka at the Miami Open.
After missing the Monte‑Carlo Masters, he was forced to retire in the deciding set of his Barcelona Open match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, later withdrawing from the Mutua Madrid Open because of a knee issue. In a candid social‑media post following his retirement in Barcelona, Draper promised fans that he would "work my way out of this" and return stronger. Del Potro, speaking as part of his involvement with the Roland‑Garros Junior Series in Brazil, praised Draper’s left‑handed game, noting that it gives him a natural advantage over many opponents. He added that while Draper’s technical skills are evident, the body can become the greatest obstacle in a player’s career – a reality the Argentine knows all too well.
"He has the tennis to play well, but sometimes you need your body to respond to the highest intensity of the matches and tournaments every week," Del Potro said. "I think British tennis is in good hands, but Draper must learn to trust his body again." Beyond the physical setbacks, Draper has also grappled with anxiety on court, bouts of nausea, and a series of injuries affecting his hip, knee and arm. Despite these challenges, he demonstrated his potential on clay last year by reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 final at the Madrid Open, where he fell to Casper Ruud in three tightly contested sets.
That performance showed that Draper can adapt his game to the slower red‑dirt surface and compete against seasoned specialists. Del Potro reflected on his own injury‑laden career, recalling how he spent many years managing pain while still relishing the chance to face the sport’s "Big Three" – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – on a regular basis.
"Injuries are part of our sport. If you are an athlete, you have to know that the injuries will come anytime and that's why you have to create a perfect team, not only a tennis coach, you need a physical trainer, a physio, a mental coach as well," he explained. "When the bad moments come, the faster that you can get out of it, the better." The British contingent at this year’s Madrid Open includes not only Draper but also British No.
1 Cameron Norrie, who has posted solid results such as a quarter‑final appearance at Indian Wells and a third‑round showing at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Katie Boulter entered the main draw after withdrawals by Emma Raducanu (illness) and Sonay Kartal (injury). The tournament itself runs for two weeks, with main‑draw action kicking off on Tuesday, 21 April, and the men’s and women’s singles finals scheduled for 3 May and 2 May respectively. Day sessions begin at 9 a.m., while night sessions start at 5:30 p.m.
In a unique addition this year, a temporary clay court will be installed at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – home of Real Madrid – from 23 April to 30 April, allowing players to practice on a surface that mimics the conditions at La Caja Mágica. This initiative aims to give competitors a chance to fine‑tune their game ahead of the final stages of the event. For fans wishing to follow the action, live coverage will be available on Sky Sports Tennis, with streaming options through NOW and the Sky Sports app, which promises over 50 percent more live sport for subscribers at no extra charge. As the Madrid Open approaches, all eyes will be on Draper to see whether he can translate his raw talent into consistent, high‑level performances and, as del Potro suggests, finally feel his body respond to the demands of the elite circuit.