First-Time Winner Spotlight: Jack Draper

It was “third time lucky” for Jack Draper on Sunday, when he won his first ATP Tour title in his third tour-level final. The 22-year-old beat Matteo Berrettini to triumph at the BOSS OPEN in Stuttgart, a result that also set him up for a debut as British No. 1 and a career-high PIF ATP Ranking of No. 30.

The sixth seed’s 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 victory against two-time Stuttgart champ Berrettini provided the perfect start to his grass-court campaign. Draper will next bid to carry that momentum forward to home events on the lawns of The Queen’s Club and Wimbledon — the latter of which he will likely be seeded at thanks to his rise in the PIF ATP Rankings.

ATPTour.com caught up with Draper to discuss his title breakthrough, those who helped him reach that milestone, and more.

What does it mean to you to win your first ATP Tour title?
Honestly it means the world to me. I’ve been working for this moment for a very long time. Lots of ups and downs, lots of injuries, lots of setbacks. To come through today and win, and the way I’ve been playing, I’m really, really proud of myself. Hopefully it’s a testament to all my hard work and I can keep going.

How did your previous ATP Tour finals in Sofia and Adelaide help you today?
I don’t know. I think third time lucky, really. In those matches I think I was a little defensive and allowed them to win the match. Today against Matteo I had to be aggressive, I had to win the game on my own terms. I think the experiences of losing a lot of matches where the opponent has taken it from me, I think that helped me a lot.

Not only did you win the title, but you’re now the British No. 1. How special is that for you?
I’ve never thought of it really in the last few years. But it’s obviously a huge honour for me. I want to be a Top 20, Top 10 player and win big titles. If there’s someone ahead of me or not, they’re obviously doing a great job too. But if I am to be British No. 1, I’m obviously incredibly proud of that and incredibly honoured to be in that position, and hopefully I can carry the flag forward.

You have had some great moments early in your career and also pushed through adversity when necessary. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in these past few years?
I think just to keep at it, keep going, keep present. I’ve had a lot of tough moments but I’ve always tried to stay strong. I think it shows my love for tennis and the amazing people I have around me to push me to keep on persevering and keep on moving forward. I think those moments have made me stronger and made me a better person and a better player.

Growing up you always had your brother Ben, who played college tennis, to look up to. How important was that and do any memories of your childhood growing up together stick out?
My brother’s an amazing boy. He’s one of my best friends. We used to argue a lot when we were younger when we used to compete against each other in any different sport. I actually remember him beating me in an ITF Grade 5, 6-4, 6-2. I really thought that I was going to win the match because it was supposed to be on an outdoor, wet clay court. And obviously, in London, it rained, and we went on indoor slick fast courts. I was 5-foot-6 and he was 6-foot-4. I think the gods came together that day and didn’t let me take the win from him. He’s an amazing big brother and I look up to him so much.

Could you take a moment to acknowledge some of the other key figures in your life and career who have helped you to reach this milestone?
No. 1 is my mom, Nicky. She’s my rock, she’s everything to me. She’s been through thick and thin with me. She’s had to deal with a lot of ups and downs and lots of roller coasters, being the way I am. I think any parent who’s in sport, they obviously know how tough it is. Also my grandparents, my nana, who’s had dementia for 10 years. She was a key part of my tennis growing up and the one who introduced tennis to me when I was young.

I’d also say I’ve had three coaches in my time. First off Justin Sherring, my coach for 10 years. Secondly, Ryan Jones, my coach of four or five years. And currently James Trotman, who I’ve been with for three years now, and we’ve just added Wayne Ferreira on board as well. All of those people, they’ve taught me so much. They’ve been all about me becoming a better person and a better player. So I owe everything to them and all their perseverance and everything they’ve given me.

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What is your newest off-court hobby and what do you like about it?
I suppose I live in London now, I’m able to go out and explore the city and just take my mind off tennis when I’m not on court. I like being with my dog, I like just doing normal things. I’m a normal 22-year-old guy.

What’s the most interesting thing people might not know about you?
Just that I’m pretty normal, to be honest. I think people think that being an athlete, being a tennis player, being a sportsperson, that you’re very different. I’m all about values and family time and just hard work. I suppose there’s nothing major that’s interesting to know about me apart from the fact that I’m just a normal guy doing what I love.

This is a big period of the season for you playing at home on a surface you play well on. What will be the biggest key for you to excel for the rest of the grass season? 
I think the biggest key now is just to keep my head down. Obviously there might be a lot of noise coming into Queen’s and Wimbledon, potentially Eastbourne. But I’ve just got to keep my head down, keep on listening to the people around me who are trying to help me, my team, keep on trying to do all the right things on the tennis court and off the tennis court. I think if I’m able to do that, it will give me the best chance of having a successful summer on the grass courts.

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