Juan Martín del Potro, the former US Open champion, has publicly expressed confidence that Britain’s rising star Jack Draper has the talent to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. However, del Potro cautioned that Draper must first secure a reliable level of physical confidence before he can consistently challenge the sport’s elite. Del Potro, who captured the 2009 US Open title and spent time in the top three of the ATP rankings, has spent much of his own career battling recurring wrist and knee problems.
Those injuries ultimately forced him to retire in 2022, and his experience gives him a unique perspective on the importance of health in professional tennis. He noted that while Draper possesses the technical ability and mental fortitude to succeed, the body can become the biggest obstacle if it does not respond to the rigors of a demanding schedule. The 24‑year‑old British player has already shown flashes of brilliance.
After a lengthy six‑month lay‑off caused by a bone‑stress injury in his left arm, Draper returned to the tour in February and quickly made an impact. He upset Novak Djokovic during his title defence at Indian Wells, propelling himself into the quarter‑finals and earning widespread praise. Yet his momentum was halted at the Miami Open, where he fell in straight sets to Reilly Opelka. In recent weeks Draper has struggled with consistency, partly due to recurring physical setbacks.
He missed the Monte‑Carlo Masters, then retired in the deciding set of his Barcelona Open match against Tomas Martín Etcheverry. A subsequent knee injury forced him to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open. These setbacks have underscored del Potro’s point: talent alone is insufficient without a body that can endure the weekly grind of ATP tournaments. Del Potro highlighted Draper’s left‑handedness as a natural advantage, stating, "As a lefty, he already has a different angle on most opponents." He also drew a parallel between his own career and Draper’s, acknowledging that injuries can be "the worst part" of a tennis life.
Yet he emphasized that Draper is already showing the right mindset by seeking confidence in his physical condition. Beyond the injuries, Draper has also been open about dealing with anxiety on court, occasional bouts of illness, and other niggling issues such as hip, knee and arm problems. These challenges have forced him to adopt a more holistic approach to preparation, incorporating mental coaching, physiotherapy and tailored fitness programs. Del Potro stressed that modern players need a complete support team—coach, physio, strength trainer and mental specialist—to navigate the inevitable low points.
Looking ahead, Draper hopes to return to Madrid, a tournament that holds special meaning after his impressive run to the final there last year. In that event, he reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final on clay, ultimately losing a hard‑fought three‑set battle to Casper Ruud. The experience demonstrated that Draper can adapt his game to slower surfaces and compete against seasoned clay‑court specialists. Del Potro, affectionately known as "The Tower of Tandil," shared his own philosophy during his involvement with the Roland‑Garros Junior Series in Brazil.
He explained that injuries are an inherent part of the sport and that players must build a "perfect team" around themselves. "If you are an athlete, you have to accept that injuries will come at any time. The faster you can recover and get back on court, the better," he said.
British tennis, according to del Potro, is in capable hands. Alongside Draper, the country boasts other promising talents such as Cameron Norrie, who has posted solid results this season, including a quarter‑final appearance at Indian Wells and a third‑round showing at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Katie Boulter secured a spot in the main draw after withdrawals by Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal. The upcoming Madrid Open will run for two weeks, beginning on Tuesday, April 21, with live coverage on Sky Sports Tennis.
The women's singles final is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, followed by the men's final on Sunday, May 3. Day sessions start at 9 a.m., while night sessions commence at 5:30 p.m. An additional highlight this year is a temporary clay court installed at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium from April 23 to 30, allowing top players to practice on conditions that mimic those at La Caja Mágica.
For fans, the tournament will be widely accessible via Sky Sports, the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app, offering more than 50% additional live sport coverage at no extra cost for subscribers. As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Draper to see whether he can translate his raw talent into sustained success, provided his body finally aligns with his ambitions. The message from del Potro is clear: talent opens the door, but physical confidence keeps it open.