Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has publicly expressed confidence 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 secure "confidence in his body" before he can consistently compete at that elite level. Del Potro, who captured the 2009 US Open title and spent time as world No.
3, knows all too well how injuries can derail a promising career; his own battles with chronic wrist and knee problems ultimately forced his retirement in 2022. Del Potro’s endorsement of Draper comes at a pivotal moment for the 24‑year‑old Briton, who has been earmarked as a future Grand Slam contender. The young left‑hander’s journey, according to the Argentine legend, hinges on three core elements: consistency, fitness, and the ability to manage the mounting expectations that accompany high‑profile tournaments.
"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 told reporters while speaking at the Roland‑Garros Junior Series event in Brazil. "I think British tennis is in good hands, but he has to trust his body again." Draper’s recent season has been a roller‑coaster of highs and setbacks. After a six‑month lay‑off caused by a bone‑stress injury in his left arm, he returned to the tour in February and immediately made an impact, defeating Novak Djokovic during his Indian Wells title defence and advancing to the quarter‑finals.
That run demonstrated his capacity to raise his game against the sport’s biggest names. However, the momentum was interrupted at the Miami Open, where he suffered a straight‑sets defeat to Reilly Opelka, and later he withdrew from the Monte‑Carlo Masters due to lingering fitness concerns. The most recent blow came at the Barcelona Open, where Draper retired in the deciding set against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, citing a knee issue that also forced him out of the Mutua Madrid Open a few weeks later.
In a candid social‑media post, the Briton vowed to "work my way out of this," acknowledging that the physical toll of the tour has become a central obstacle in his quest for consistency. Beyond the obvious injuries, Draper has also spoken openly about anxiety on court, bouts of nausea, and the mental strain that accompanies a demanding schedule. Del Potro, who himself endured years of rehabilitation, emphasized that injuries are an inevitable part of professional tennis. "Injuries are part of our sport.
If you are an athlete, you have to know that they will come anytime and that’s why you have to create a perfect team – not only a tennis coach, but also a physical trainer, a physio, and a mental coach as well," he explained. He added that the speed with which a player can recover from setbacks often determines the trajectory of their career. "The worst part of my career was the injuries, but I still preferred to play against the Big Three every day," he said, underscoring his belief that the right support network can mitigate the impact of physical setbacks. For Draper, the upcoming Madrid Open offers a chance to test his resilience on clay after a year‑long gap from the tournament.
He reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final on the surface in 2023, falling to Casper Ruud in three tight sets, yet his performance proved he can adapt his game to the slower red dirt. A strong showing in Madrid could serve as a springboard toward greater consistency and help him regain the confidence his body needs. British tennis as a whole appears to be on an upward trajectory. World No.
28 Draper is joined by compatriots such as Cameron Norrie, who has already logged a quarter‑final appearance at Indian Wells and a third‑round run at the Australian Open, and Katie Boulter, who entered the Madrid draw after withdrawals by Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal. The depth of talent suggests a supportive environment for Draper as he works through his physical challenges.
The Madrid Open itself will span two weeks, with main‑draw action commencing on Tuesday, April 21, and the men’s final slated for Sunday, May 3. Day sessions begin at 9 a.m., while night sessions start at 5:30 p.m. Notably, a temporary clay court will be installed at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium from April 23‑30, allowing players to practice under conditions that closely mimic the tournament’s main courts. This innovative setup aims to give competitors, including Draper, a realistic rehearsal space to fine‑tune their movement and shot selection on the slower surface.
Broadcast-wise, the event will be available live on Sky Sports Tennis, with additional streaming options through NOW and the Sky Sports app, promising over 50 percent more live sport for subscribers at no extra charge. Fans eager to follow Draper’s progress can track his matches, scores, and upcoming fixtures via the Sky Sports platform or the ATP and WTA official sites. In summary, while Jack Draper’s raw talent and left‑handed advantage position him as a legitimate threat to the current generation’s top players, his ability to sustain that threat hinges on overcoming the physical inconsistencies that have plagued his career thus far. Del Potro’s seasoned perspective underscores that talent alone is insufficient; a reliable, injury‑free body, bolstered by a comprehensive support team, is essential for any young star aspiring to regular Grand Slam contention.
If Draper can achieve that balance, the British tennis community—and indeed the broader tennis world—may soon witness a new contender capable of challenging Sinner, Alcaraz, and the rest of the elite on a regular basis.