Jack Draper is one of the in-form players on the ATP Tour and he is showing no signs of slowing down.
The British number one has won 11 of his last 13 matches and he has just made a deep run at the Madrid Open.
His firepower and athleticism makes him a very dangerous opponent, and Jack Draper’s improved fitness has helped him tremendously.
The British number one is hungry for more success but the journey towards the top game certainly comes with its challenges.
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Draper is part of the small group of players on the ATP Tour who are left-handed.
The angles they can generate when facing right-handed players can be extremely difficult to navigate, as many players discovered when facing 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal for example.
But as a left-handed player, Draper faces one challenge in particular, and that is finding players to practice with.
This is something his fellow lefty Ben Shelton also struggles with, as Draper says right-handed players prefer not to hit with left-handed players before a tournament.
“All the time. It happens every week. I have never been someone who has been that worried about who I hit with, whether it be a lefty or a righty. I am focused on myself,” he said.
“But a lot of players… I can understand it, of course, but they get it in their heads that they can’t hit with a lefty before the tournament or before they play, so you end up not having anyone to hit with in the draw.”
“I suppose Shelton would have said whoever he is playing, everyone is contacting me to want to hit, and vice versa. So I guess just look for someone who is playing one of those players and hopefully I will get a hit.”
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At January’s Australian Open, Shelton reached the second Grand Slam semi-final of his career.
Before reaching that stage of the competition however, he was asked about the advantages and disadvantages of being a left-handed player, and Shelton said that same thing that Draper has an issue with.
“You can’t get a practice,” he said at the time. “It’s impossible, except for when the draw comes out and they play [Jack] Draper, Shapo (Shapovalov), or Ugo Humbert. Then I get the look.
“Other than that, people don’t want to practice with you as much. For me I don’t mind. I hit with a righty, lefty, tall guy, short guy, serve bot, grinder. Doesn’t really matter.
“Guys on tour, players or coaches, are particular about who they practice with. Big serve, lefty, that’s two strikes against you. Finding hits can be difficult.
“I’d say at the same time people don’t want to hit with lefties so they don’t see your style of game as much. I go out and play against somebody that said no to practising with me the last four times, at least he hasn’t seen my serve. Pros and cons, for sure.”