Juan Martín del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, has voiced strong support for Britain’s rising star Jack Draper, insisting that the young left‑hander possesses the talent to challenge the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. However, del Potro cautioned that Draper must first develop a reliable sense of confidence in his own physical condition before he can consistently compete at the very highest level. Del Potro, who reached a career‑high ranking of world No.
3 and captained Argentina to Davis Cup glory, knows all too well the toll that chronic injuries can take on a career. Persistent wrist and knee problems plagued his own journey, ultimately forcing him to retire in 2022.
His experience gives him a unique perspective on the importance of a robust support system and the mental resilience required to bounce back from setbacks. Draper, currently positioned at No.
28 in the ATP rankings, has already shown flashes of brilliance. 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. He stunned Novak Djokovic during his title defence at Indian Wells, propelling himself into the quarter‑finals before falling to Reilly Opelka in straight sets at the Miami Open.
Those results sparked optimism that the 24‑year‑old could become a future Grand Slam contender. Yet the road ahead is far from smooth.
Draper’s recent season has been marred by a series of physical setbacks and on‑court challenges. He missed the Monte‑Carlo Masters, retired in the deciding set of his Barcelona Open match against Tomas Martín Etcheverry, and withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open with a knee injury.
In a candid social‑media post after the Barcelona retirement, Draper promised fans that he would "work my way out of this" and regain his form. Del Potro highlighted the unique advantage that left‑handed players often enjoy, noting that Draper’s left‑handedness can create awkward angles for opponents. He praised Draper’s raw skill, but stressed that even the most gifted players can be held back when their bodies fail to respond to the rigors of weekly high‑intensity competition. "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.
"I think British tennis is in good hands, but the body has to cooperate." Beyond the physical dimension, Draper has also grappled with anxiety on court, bouts of nausea, and injuries to his hip, knee and arm. Managing these issues requires a comprehensive team: a dedicated coach, a physical trainer, a physiotherapist, and a mental‑performance specialist.
Del Potro emphasized that this holistic approach was crucial during his own career, where injuries were "the worst part" of his time on the tour. He recalled preferring to face the "Big Three"—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—every week rather than sit on the sidelines nursing a lingering problem. Looking ahead, Draper hopes to return to Madrid, a tournament that holds special significance for him after reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 final on clay a year ago. Although he fell short to Casper Ruud in three sets, the experience proved that he can adapt his game to the slower, more demanding red‑dirt surface.
Del Potro believes that with the right physical preparation, Draper can translate that potential into consistent results. The Madrid Open will run for two weeks, beginning on Tuesday, April 21, with day sessions starting at 9 a.m. and night sessions at 5:30 p.m. The event will also feature a temporary clay court at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium from April 23‑30, allowing players to practice under conditions that mimic the main draw.
The tournament’s schedule culminates with the women's singles final on Saturday, May 2, and the men's final on Sunday, May 3. British tennis also has other promising names on the rise.
Cameron Norrie, the current British No. 1, has posted solid results, including a quarter‑final appearance at Indian Wells and a third‑round showing at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Katie Boulter entered the Madrid draw after Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal withdrew due to illness and injury, respectively.
Del Potro’s endorsement of Draper underscores a broader lesson for all emerging players: talent alone is insufficient. The modern game demands a resilient body, a clear mind, and a well‑structured support network. As del Potro reflected during his involvement with the Roland‑Garros Junior Series in Brazil, injuries are an inevitable part of tennis, but the speed with which a player can recover—physically and mentally—often determines the trajectory of their career.
For fans eager to follow the action, matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis, with additional streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app. These platforms promise over 50 percent more live sport coverage this year at no extra cost for Sky Sports customers, ensuring that viewers can keep up with every twist and turn of Draper’s journey and the broader ATP and WTA tours.