Former Grand Slam champion Juan Martin del Potro has voiced strong support for Britain’s rising star Jack Draper, insisting that the young left‑hander has the talent to challenge the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. However, del Potro cautioned that Draper must first regain full confidence in his physical health before he can consistently compete at the very highest level.
Del Potro, who captured the 2009 US Open and spent time as world No. 3, knows all too well how injuries can derail a promising career. Throughout his own playing days he battled chronic wrist problems and a lingering knee issue that forced him into early retirement in 2022.
His experience gives him a unique perspective on the hurdles facing Draper, who, despite his impressive skill set, has already endured a series of setbacks. The 24‑year‑old British player has been widely tipped as a future Grand Slam contender. Yet del Potro stressed that the real test for Draper lies in achieving consistency, maintaining peak fitness, and handling the mounting expectations that come with being one of the UK’s brightest tennis prospects. "He has the tennis to play well," del Potro said, "but sometimes you need your body to respond to the highest intensity of the matches and tournaments every week." Draper’s recent season has been a roller‑coaster of highs and lows.
After a six‑month hiatus caused by a bone‑stress injury in his left arm, he returned to the tour in February and immediately made an impact by beating Novak Djokovic during his title defence at Indian Wells, propelling him into the quarter‑finals. The victory demonstrated his ability to raise his game against top‑ranked opponents, yet a straight‑sets defeat to Reilly Opelka at the Miami Open reminded everyone that consistency remains elusive. In March, Draper missed the Monte‑Carlo Masters and then retired in the deciding set of his Barcelona Open match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, citing a knee problem. He subsequently withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open, again because of a lingering injury.
These interruptions have limited his ability to build momentum and have raised concerns about his durability on the demanding ATP calendar. Beyond the physical ailments, Draper has also spoken openly about mental health challenges, including anxiety that has manifested as on‑court nausea and bouts of sickness. Such issues, combined with recurring hip, knee and arm injuries, underline the importance of a comprehensive support system.
Del Potro highlighted this point, noting that modern players need more than a coach; they require a full team that includes a physical trainer, physiotherapist, and mental‑health specialist to navigate the inevitable setbacks of professional sport. Looking ahead, Draper hopes to return to Madrid this year, a tournament where he made a memorable run to the final last season – his first ATP Masters 1000 final on clay. Although he fell to Casper Ruud in three sets, the experience proved that he can adapt his game to the slower surface and compete against seasoned clay‑court specialists.
Del Potro reflected on his own career, describing injuries as the toughest aspect of his time on tour. "Injuries are part of our sport. If you are an athlete, you have to know that they will come anytime," he said while speaking at the Roland‑Garros Junior Series event in Brazil. He emphasized the need for players to assemble a "perfect team" to accelerate recovery and return to form as quickly as possible.
The British tennis landscape is currently buoyed by several promising players. British 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, scheduled from April 21 to May 3, will provide a crucial testing ground for Draper and his compatriots. Day sessions will kick off at 9 a.m., with night sessions beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Notably, a temporary clay court will be installed at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium from April 23‑30, allowing players to practice under conditions that mimic the tournament’s main courts. For fans, the event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis, with additional streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app. These platforms promise more than 50 percent extra live sport coverage this year at no additional cost for Sky Sports subscribers.
In summary, del Potro’s endorsement of Draper is rooted in a belief that the young left‑hander possesses the raw talent to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the sport’s elite. Yet, as del Potro repeatedly emphasized, the journey from potential to consistent greatness hinges on a healthy, resilient body and a robust support network. If Draper can secure that foundation, the tennis world may soon witness another British contender challenging the dominance of Sinner, Alcaraz, and the established "Big Three".