Jack Draper is back in Queen’s this week, and will be hoping to enjoy a solid run ahead of Wimbledon later this month.
However, any hopes of winning this upcoming Grand Slam will certainly have been reduced somewhat after watching the Roland Garros final just a few weeks ago.
There, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner put on the most magnificent display, battling through a five-set epic that left the tennis world, and many beyond it, stunned.
It’s the kind of event that draws countless new people into the sport, such was the quality and drama of each point.
Jack Draper has since sought to review the action.
Jack Draper reviews the Roland Garros final
Speaking to the press ahead of his return to Queen’s this week, one reporter wondered if Draper had made the time to watch that historic recent French Open final between Alcaraz and Sinner.
He replied: ‘I didn’t watch the first two sets… I watched it in my flat. I watched the last three sets, unbelievable tennis.
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‘I think it inspired all the players and I think it captured the attention of all the spectators, all the people around the world, even people who aren’t into tennis, it was one of those sporting moments I think everyone was embraced by, so I think Jannik and Carlos did an unbelievable show there.
‘Shame someone had to lose, but that’s the nature of sport; but I think tennis won for sure.
Asked if he felt like he could reach that level soon, Draper then continued: ‘Yeah, I mean, I think so.
‘I think, you know, the tennis they were playing that was, I think the combination of them two together, I think it was the moment they were in.
‘My friend said to me when we were watching them play, like, “How are they playing this way in this moment in this after five hours or something like that?” And I said, “I don’t think they’re thinking about anything. I think they’re just thinking about playing”.
‘I don’t know what I’m capable of yet, but I aspire to be at that level, and I think what those guys are doing is setting away and it’s changing the game. And I think that, you know, players like myself are going to be working very hard to get to that point. That’s that’s 100% for sure.’
Jack Draper’s relationship with Andy Murray was analysed by Jamie Murray over the weekend, and perhaps the 22-year-old can seek some counsel from the legendary Scotsman on how he can compete with such forces of nature.
Draper has troubled Alcaraz in the past when they have played, beating him at Queen’s this time last year, and on his way to his Indian Wells title earlier in 2025.
He’s also had his fair share of beatings, but on his day, he can challenge the Spaniard.
However, much like the rest of the tour, Sinner proposes a wholly different challenge that he cannot seem to overcome.
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He did beat the world number one back in 2021, but when they faced more recently, whilst the Italian was at the level he currently is, the Brit was swept aside in the US Open semi-finals.
Draper managed to compete, dragging the opening two sets to tiebreaks, but could not find that extra level needed to trouble the most consistent and ruthless player on tour.
If he is to challenge for the Wimbledon title, he’ll need to follow in Alcaraz’s footsteps and try and unsettle Sinner with a variety of shots on this unique surface.