From Ferrari to Reliable Contender Ahead of Wimbledon

Jack Draper, currently ranked sixth in the world, has recently reflected on his journey, likening himself to a Ferrari that struggled with reliability issues in the past. However, he has stated that his dedicated training away from the tennis court has equipped him to handle the grueling demands of Grand Slam events more effectively.

As part of his preparation for Wimbledon, Draper has shown resilience by overcoming illness and coming back from a set down to defeat Alexei Popyrin at the Queen's Club Championships. This victory set him up for a quarter-final match against American player Brandon Nakashima. With the retirement of Andy Murray, Draper has emerged as a leading hope for British tennis, solidifying his position in the sport following a successful season highlighted by winning the ATP 1000 title in Indian Wells earlier this year.

Draper has acknowledged his continuous effort in training, stating that it has helped him achieve greater consistency in his performances. He remarked, "Before, I felt my energy wasn't that strong and I felt like a bit of a Ferrari but was a bit of a Toyota.” This light-hearted analogy reflects his previous struggles, but now he feels stronger and more confident in his abilities.

With his recent success, Draper will be seeded fourth at Wimbledon, which starts on June 30. He expressed his aspiration to reach his peak performance during the tournament, noting that while he has been hitting the ball better in practice, he is aware that translating that to match play might take time. Draper believes there is still potential for improvement in his overall game as he prepares for the challenges that lie ahead.