Monday, March 10, 2025

Jack Draper

Press Conference

J. DRAPER/J. Brooksby

7-5, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Well done today. What is it like playing an opponent like Jenson? You haven't played him in a few years. Obviously tricky. Not a usual opponent maybe you face on tour. What was it like going up against him?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, definitely somebody who is definitely unorthodox. No one plays like him, really. Definitely at the start, I knew it would be difficult.

The last couple of matches I played against him, everything went my way. So I knew he'd be coming out with a really high energy. Obviously he's really hungry. He's missed a lot of time the last couple of years.

So, I mean, it was a really tough match. I'm proud of the way I fought hard in the big moments. It wasn't my cleanest match, but then again, it's a bigger court, tough conditions, and tough player, as well, so happy.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Djokovic was saying the other day the conditions on that center court are so dramatically different from the outside courts. How difficult was that to adjust to? What is that court like?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, it's definitely a really difficult court to play on, especially if you haven't played on it a lot before. I understand the conditions here in terms of the way the ball travels through the air are quite different, and I accepted, you know, before the tournament that, you know, I might make a few unorthodox errors -- "unorthodox," is that the right word? I don't know -- make a few errors that I don't usually make.

Yeah, I definitely felt out there today it wasn't my cleanest tennis. You know, there was times in the match where, you know, I wanted to make him play an extra ball or I wanted to, you know, do better. I just wasn't able to.

But at the same time, I know that I've got the ability to problem-solve, and also, you know, no matter how uncomfortable I'm feeling, I know they're going to be feeling uncomfortable too.

Not perfect tennis, but just a good challenge all around.

Q. Physically how are you feeling? Two matches back to back, and all the problems you have had, how do you feel physically now?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I feel great. You know, I'm playing doubles this week, as well. So, you know, I think by playing doubles as well, that's a sign that, you know, I'm in a good spot with my body.

I feel strong. I feel like the problems I had are behind me, and, you know, I'm looking forward to hopefully being consistent here on out.

Yeah, I'm really, really happy with the way I have managed the last couple of months, and coming here as well, I feel really good, so really happy with that.

Q. You said that Jenson is unorthodox, no one plays like him. Could you go into a little more detail when you're out there? How does that change you? How does that affect your world?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I think he plays with different varieties of shot. You know, his serve, he can, you know, change the spins and the speeds on every shot, actually, to be fair. Can unleash on the forehand, but then can do angles, especially on the backhand side. You know, sometimes the ball is not coming through that hard. It's kind of not really bouncing.

I think, you know, he changes the rhythm and the speeds, you know, quite differently to a lot of other players. Comes forward pretty well. Moves well for a big guy and also competes really well.

So I think just, you know, he has quite a lot of skills, and he's very talented. You kind of really don't know what's coming next, and he can draw you into playing a certain way.

I think that's what happened at the start. You know, I was a bit locked into the way he was playing and playing at his pace, but then, in the second set, I tried to, you know, play more on my terms. I think I was getting better as the match went on.

Q. He was 33. Do you think he can get back to that level?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, for sure. He's still really young, right? I think the results would suggest the last few weeks he hasn't been playing too long, but I remember being at home a couple weeks ago and watching him play Tommy Paul. They were having a real battle. Tommy's a top-10 player.

Then also this week he's taken down Felix who is on great form right now, and today as well against myself. You know, I feel like I'm playing a really high level. You know, it was a real test and a tough match.

I think, yeah, he's more than capable of getting back to that, and I'm sure he will do.

Q. First few games of the match, Jack, it was a slow start because you were adjusting to different weather conditions than you faced last week or it was just a slow start?

JACK DRAPER: A bit of both. I think a little bit the opponent. You know, him, just getting used to what he's bringing to the court. I think obviously, you know, that center court is a real challenge. You know, it is very different. You know, the ball's flying through the air quite fast. Obviously new balls at the start, as well.

There was just a couple of errors that I wouldn't usually make. You know, I did feel like the first few games my energy was a bit flat. That sometimes happens. You know, then it's up to me to bring more energy and to, you know, just try and bring it out of myself.

That sometimes happens. I don't always feel 100%, you know, energetic and ready for the matches. You know, sometimes you have to just try and get over that mental hurdle.

But, yeah, I was really happy the way I came back from 4-1. You know, I felt like I had opportunities in those games, as well. I think there was three deuces to get Love-3.

I was playing good tennis. It just wasn't quite going my way.

Q. You have done well in the U.S., both at the US Open and also here. Curious if you could compare the two playing surfaces and also if there's anything about the U.S. that gives you an extra push.

JACK DRAPER: I mean, I think when it's hot and the ball's bouncing quite high and all those sort of things, I think that helps my game. I feel comfortable on the backhand side but also on the forehand by creating a lot of shape on my forehand. You know, the ball bounces quite high and gets up on players.

I think also with my serve and the fact that I return pretty well. I don't know. I just think, you know, I feel comfortable in all areas on a hard court, and especially with it being a bit lively here in the U.S., I think that definitely suits my game.

What would I say... What was the other question? Sorry.

Q. Comparing the US Open versus...

JACK DRAPER: I heard they say that the courts here are similar to or they are the same as the US Open. But, I mean, I don't think -- in my opinion, like, the conditions are really different here. The ball's flying through the air. Like for me it's nothing like the US Open here.

You know, maybe the court's similar, but definitely the conditions make it very different. Yeah, I know coming here is a bit different to the US Open, for sure.

Q. It could be Taylor Fritz next. Wonder if you could give your thoughts on the challenges of facing Taylor these days.

JACK DRAPER: Yeah. I mean, again, someone who loves playing in the U.S. You know, I think he's champion here before couple years ago. Obviously final of the US Open. One of the best serves on tour.

You know, great off both sides. Moves well, competes well, pretty complete player. Obviously achieved so much already.

He's got a tough match today against Tabilo, but I think, you know, if I do play Taylor, we have had a few battles every time we've played, it seems like. I think it's gone very distant, and maybe the first time we played, I played him, it was a couple of sets, but the last few times it's definitely been really, really close.

If I play him, it will be a really tough match, good battle, and hopefully be some good tennis, as well.