Former Grand Slam winner Juan Martín del Potro has voiced strong confidence in Britain’s rising star Jack Draper, suggesting the 24‑year‑old has the talent to stand alongside the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. However, del Potro cautioned that Draper’s progress hinges on a crucial factor: believing his own body can keep up with the physical demands of elite tennis. Del Potro, who captured the US Open title in 2009 and reached a career‑high ranking of world No. 3, knows all too well the toll that injuries can exact.
His own career was repeatedly disrupted by wrist and knee problems, ultimately forcing his retirement in 2022. Drawing on those personal experiences, he emphasized that consistency, fitness, and mental resilience are the true hallmarks of a future Grand Slam contender. "As a left‑hander, Draper already enjoys a natural advantage on the court," del Potro explained, recalling his own memorable Olympic final against Andy Murray in Rio 2016.
"He possesses the skill set to compete at the highest level, but the body can become the biggest obstacle if it doesn’t respond to the intensity of back‑to‑back weeks on tour." 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 competition in February and quickly made an impact by defeating Novak Djokovic during his title defence at Indian Wells, propelling him into the quarter‑finals. Yet the momentum was halted at the Miami Open, where he fell in straight sets to Reilly Opelka. In the weeks that followed, Draper’s campaign was further derailed by a series of physical and psychological challenges.
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 with a knee issue. The British player has also spoken openly about battling anxiety on court, experiencing bouts of nausea, and coping with lingering hip, knee and arm problems.
Despite these obstacles, del Potro remains optimistic about Draper’s long‑term prospects. "He has the tennis to play well," the Argentine legend said, "but he must regain confidence that his body can sustain the rigour of weekly high‑intensity matches. If he can do that, British tennis is definitely in good hands." The importance of a comprehensive support team was another point del Potro stressed.
He recalled his own reliance on a multidisciplinary crew—coach, physio, strength trainer and mental coach—to navigate the inevitable injury setbacks that come with a professional career. "Injuries are part of our sport," he noted. "An athlete must assemble the right people around them so that when a setback occurs, recovery is swift and the player can get back on court as soon as possible." Looking ahead, Draper hopes to return to the Madrid Open, a tournament where he made a breakthrough the previous year by reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 final on clay, ultimately losing a tightly contested three‑set battle to Casper Ruud. That run demonstrated his aptitude on the slower surface and suggested he could become a regular threat at the highest level if he can stay healthy.
Del Potro’s remarks came during his involvement with the Roland‑Garros Junior Series in Brazil, where he continues to mentor young talent. He used the platform to underscore the broader lesson that physical wellbeing is as vital as technical skill in modern tennis. "If you are an athlete, you have to accept that injuries will happen at any moment," he said. "Building a perfect team around you—coach, trainer, physio, mental specialist—is essential for navigating those tough periods." Beyond Draper, British tennis is currently enjoying a wave of promising performances.
No. 1 Cameron Norrie has posted solid results, including a quarter‑final appearance at Indian Wells and a third‑round showing at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Katie Boulter earned a spot in the main draw after withdrawals from Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal due to illness and injury, respectively.
The upcoming Madrid Open will unfold over two weeks, with the main draw kicking off on Tuesday, 21 April. The tournament will feature both ATP and WTA events, culminating in the women's singles final on Saturday, 2 May, and the men's final on Sunday, 3 May.
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—the home of Real Madrid—from 23 to 30 April, allowing players to practice on conditions that mimic the La Caja Mágica courts. For fans, the matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis, with streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering subscribers access to more than half again as much live sport at no extra charge.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Draper to see whether he can translate his evident talent into consistent, injury‑free performances and truly challenge the sport’s current elite.