Former Grand Slam champion Juan Martín del Potro has publicly voiced 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 the young left‑hander must first regain full confidence in his physical health. Del Potro, the 2009 US Open winner, highlighted that Draper’s path to becoming a consistent Grand Slam contender hinges on three core factors: regularity in performance, robust fitness, and the mental fortitude to handle the pressure that comes with playing on tennis’s biggest stages. Del Potro’s own career was repeatedly interrupted by injuries.
The Argentine, who reached a career‑high ranking of world No. 3 and captained his nation to Davis Cup glory, endured chronic wrist problems and a nagging knee ailment that ultimately forced him to retire in 2022. His personal experience gives him a unique perspective on the physical challenges that can derail even the most promising careers.
Draper, now the British No. 1 and currently sitting at No.
28 in the ATP rankings, has already shown flashes of brilliance. After a six‑month lay‑off caused by a bone‑stress injury in his left arm, he returned to competition in February and immediately made an impact. He stunned Novak Djokovic during his title defence at Indian Wells, propelling himself into the quarter‑finals and earning widespread acclaim for his composure against the Serbian legend.
However, his momentum was halted at the Miami Open, where he fell in straight sets to Reilly Opelka. The young Briton’s season has been a roller‑coaster of highs and setbacks.
He missed the Monte‑Carlo Masters entirely and was forced to retire in the deciding set of his Barcelona Open match against Tomas Martín Etcheverry after suffering a knee injury. The same injury later compelled him to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open, a tournament he hopes to contest again after a year‑long absence.
Del Potro, speaking during 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 has the tennis to play at the highest level,” Del Potro said, “but sometimes the body can be the biggest obstacle. I’ve lived that experience, and I know how frustrating it can be when your physical condition doesn’t match your skill set.” Beyond the obvious physical ailments, Draper has also been open about battling anxiety on court, which has manifested as occasional bouts of nausea and general unease during matches.
These mental hurdles, combined with injuries to his hip, knee and arm, have forced him to adopt a more holistic approach to preparation. He now works with a team that includes a physical trainer, a physiotherapist, and a mental‑performance coach, echoing Del Potro’s own advice that a successful player needs a "perfect team" rather than just a tennis coach. Looking ahead, Draper is eager to return to Madrid, where he reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final on clay a year ago, ultimately losing to Casper Ruud in three tightly contested sets.
That run demonstrated his ability to adapt to the slower, more demanding red‑dirt surface—a skill that will be crucial as the ATP calendar moves deeper into the European clay swing. Del Potro reflected on his own injury‑laden journey, describing it as "the worst part of my career" but also emphasizing that he never lost the desire to face the sport’s elite, the so‑called "Big Three"—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—every week. He underscored the inevitability of injuries in tennis, stating, "If you are an athlete, you have to accept that injuries will come at any time, and that’s why you need a complete support system.
The faster you can recover, the better you can get back to competing at your best." British tennis, according to Del Potro, is in capable hands. Alongside Draper, compatriots such as Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter are also making strides. Norrie has posted solid results, including a quarter‑final appearance at Indian Wells and a respectable run to the third round of the Australian Open.
Boulter entered the main draw of the Madrid Open after withdrawals from Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal due to illness and injury, respectively. The upcoming Madrid Open will run for two weeks, with main‑draw action beginning on Tuesday, 21 April, and televised live on Sky Sports Tennis. The women's singles final is scheduled for Saturday, 2 May, followed by the men’s final on Sunday, 3 May.
Day sessions will start at 9 a.m., while night sessions will commence at 5:30 p.m. In a unique addition this year, a temporary clay court will be installed at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium—the 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.
Fans can watch the ATP and WTA tours live via Sky Sports or stream them through NOW and the Sky Sports app, which promises over 50 percent more live sport for subscribers at no extra charge. As Draper works to rebuild his confidence and ensure his body can respond to the rigors of the tour, Del Potro’s endorsement serves as both encouragement and a reminder that the journey to the top is as much about physical resilience as it is about raw talent.