Former Grand Slam champion Juan Martín 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 the young left‑hander must first secure "confidence in his body" before he can consistently compete at the highest level. Del Potro, who lifted the US Open trophy in 2009 and spent time as high as world No.
3, knows all too well the toll that recurring injuries can take on a career. Throughout his own professional journey he battled chronic wrist problems and a nagging knee issue that ultimately forced him to retire in 2022. His perspective, therefore, carries particular weight when he comments on Draper’s physical hurdles.
Draper, currently ranked No. 28 in the ATP rankings, has been earmarked by many analysts as a future Grand Slam contender.
Yet, according to del Potro, the true test for the 24‑year‑old lies not merely in raw skill but in the ability to maintain consistency, stay fit, and handle the mounting expectations that accompany a promising career. "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 explained, underscoring the importance of physical resilience in modern tennis.
The British player’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, Draper returned to the tour in February. He quickly demonstrated his potential by upsetting Novak Djokovic during his title defence at Indian Wells and then advancing to the quarter‑finals.
However, his momentum was halted by a straight‑sets defeat to Reilly Opelka at the Miami Open. In the weeks that followed, Draper’s schedule was further disrupted.
He missed the Monte‑Carlo Masters, retired in the deciding set of his Barcelona Open match against Tomas Martín Etcheverry, and subsequently withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open due to a knee injury. These incidents highlight the fragility of an athlete’s body when faced with the relentless demands of the ATP calendar. Beyond the physical ailments, Draper has also spoken openly about mental health challenges, including bouts of anxiety that have manifested as on‑court nausea.
The combination of injury, recovery, and psychological pressure can create a feedback loop that hampers performance, a reality del Potro is intimately familiar with. "Injuries were the worst part of my career," the Argentine legend admitted, noting that he had to manage his own setbacks for many years while still relishing the chance to face the sport’s elite – the so‑called "Big Three" of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. Del Potro’s advice to Draper extends beyond simple encouragement. He emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive support team: a dedicated physical trainer, a physiotherapist, a mental coach, and, of course, a skilled tennis coach.
"If you are an athlete, you have to know that injuries will come anytime and that's why you have to create a perfect team," he said, adding that a swift recovery is often linked to the quality of that support network. Looking ahead, Draper hopes to make a strong showing at the upcoming Madrid Open, a tournament that will mark the one‑year anniversary of his impressive run to the ATP Masters 1000 final on clay in 2023, where he fell to Casper Ruud in three tightly contested sets.
That performance proved he can adapt his game to the slower, more demanding red‑dirt surface, an essential skill for any player aspiring to Grand Slam success. The Madrid Open itself will be a showcase of elite tennis, with the main draw beginning on Tuesday, April 21, and concluding with the men’s final on Sunday, May 3.
The event will also feature a temporary clay court installed at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – the home of Real Madrid – providing players with a unique practice environment that mimics the conditions at La Caja Mágica. Such opportunities are invaluable for a player like Draper, who must fine‑tune his physical responses to the rigors of back‑to‑back high‑intensity matches. British tennis, meanwhile, is enjoying a period of depth.
No. 1 Britain’s Cameron Norrie has posted solid results, including a quarter‑final appearance at Indian Wells and a third‑round showing at the Australian Open.
On the women’s side, Katie Boulter entered the Madrid draw after withdrawals from Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal, illustrating the ever‑shifting landscape of the sport. In summary, del Potro’s endorsement of Jack Draper is rooted in a realistic appraisal of what it takes to thrive at the top of the game.
Talent alone is insufficient; the player must cultivate confidence in his body, manage injuries proactively, and lean on a multidisciplinary team to navigate the physical and mental demands of the tour. If Draper can align these elements, there is little doubt he could soon be standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Sinner, Alcaraz, and the rest of the new generation of tennis elite.