Former Grand Slam champion Juan Martin del Potro has voiced his belief that Britain’s rising star Jack Draper has the talent to stand toe‑to‑toe with the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, but he cautioned that Draper must first regain full confidence in his own physical health. Del Potro, the 2009 US Open winner who retired in 2022 after a career marred by recurring wrist and knee problems, emphasized that the British player’s biggest hurdle is not a lack of skill but the need for his body to respond reliably under the relentless pressure of the elite tour. Draper, now ranked No.
28 in the world, has been tipped by many pundits as a future Grand Slam contender. Yet, according to del Potro, the true test for the 24‑year‑old lies in achieving consistency, maintaining peak fitness, and learning how to manage the heightened expectations that accompany big‑stage appearances. The Argentine legend, a former world No.
3 and Davis Cup hero, reflected on his own battles with injury, noting that "the body can be the worst thing in a career if it doesn’t cooperate," and that Draper must develop a similar resilience. The British left‑hander’s recent season has been a roller‑coaster of highs and lows.
After a six‑month lay‑off caused by a bone‑stress injury in his left arm, Draper returned to competition in February. He quickly made a statement by upsetting Novak Djokovic during his title defence at Indian Wells, a run that propelled him into the quarter‑finals and reminded the tennis world of his raw potential. However, the momentum was halted at the Miami Open, where he suffered a straight‑sets defeat to Reilly Opelka. In the weeks that followed, Draper’s schedule was further disrupted.
He missed the Monte‑Carlo Masters entirely and then retired in the deciding set of his Barcelona Open match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Shortly thereafter, he withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open after aggravating a knee issue.
These setbacks prompted Draper to post a candid message on social media, vowing to "work my way out of this" and to rebuild both his physical condition and mental fortitude. Del Potro highlighted an often‑overlooked advantage: Draper’s left‑handed play.
"As a lefty, he has an edge over most opponents," the Argentine explained, recalling his own memorable 2016 Olympic final against Andy Murray. He added that while Draper possesses the technical tools to compete at the highest level, the body must be able to endure the week‑long grind of back‑to‑back matches at peak intensity. "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, underscoring the importance of a robust support team.
Indeed, del Potro’s own career serves as a cautionary tale. He endured chronic wrist problems, knee surgeries, and a lingering hip issue that forced him to miss large portions of multiple seasons. Yet, despite these setbacks, he chose to keep facing the sport’s "Big Three"—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—every day.
"Injuries are part of our sport," he remarked during his involvement with the Roland‑Garros Junior Series in Brazil. "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, and when the bad moments come, the faster that you can get out of it, the better." For Draper, the path forward involves more than just medical treatment. He has openly discussed struggles with on‑court anxiety, bouts of nausea, and the psychological toll that recurring injuries can exact.
Overcoming these mental barriers is as crucial as healing his knee, hip and arm. Del Potro believes that a comprehensive approach—combining physical therapy, strength conditioning, and mental coaching—will be essential for Draper to sustain a high level of play throughout the demanding ATP calendar. Looking ahead, Draper hopes to make a return to the Madrid Open, a tournament that holds special significance after his impressive run to the final there a year ago. That performance marked his first ATP Masters 1000 final on clay, where he fell to Casper Ruud in three tightly contested sets.
The experience demonstrated that Draper can adapt his game to the slower red dirt, a skill that will serve him well as the tour transitions to the clay season. Del Potro’s endorsement of Draper comes at a time when British tennis is experiencing a resurgence. Alongside Draper, players such as Cameron Norrie—who has reached the quarter‑finals at Indian Wells and the third round of the Australian Open—and Katie Boulter—who entered the main draw after withdrawals by Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal—are adding depth to the UK roster. This collective momentum suggests a bright future for the nation’s tennis prospects.
The upcoming Madrid Open, scheduled from April 21 to May 3, will feature both ATP and WTA events, with day sessions beginning at 9 a.m. and night sessions at 5:30 p.m. Notably, a temporary clay court will be installed at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium from April 23‑30, giving players a unique opportunity to practice on a surface that mimics the conditions they will encounter at the La Caja Mágica.
Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports Tennis, stream via NOW, or use the Sky Sports app, which promises over 50 percent more live sport coverage at no extra cost. In summary, del Potro’s message to Draper is clear: the talent is there, the results are within reach, but the body must be trusted. By assembling a strong multidisciplinary support team, focusing on injury prevention, and addressing the mental challenges that accompany elite competition, Draper can transform his potential into consistent Grand Slam contention.
If he can achieve that balance, the tennis world may soon see another British player challenging the dominance of Sinner, Alcaraz, and the rest of the new generation of champions.