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MUTUA MADRID OPEN


April 30, 2025


Jack Draper


Madrid, Spain

Press Conference


J. DRAPER/T. Paul

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Jack, amazing match today, how are you feeling after such a performance?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I feel really good. Obviously I know that Tommy is someone who can play incredible tennis, and I knew that against these guys you have to keep on being aggressive. I feel like I'm getting more and more confident on the clay, and I like it here in Madrid, so happy to play well today and to keep going in this tournament.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. It's obviously the biggest win of your career on clay so far, so how important is that for your confidence and kind of reassuring what you've been doing off the court and training on this surface?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I mean, I think the more matches I obviously play at this level will keep helping my confidence on this surface. Obviously a win today, in that kind of way, against someone who is ranked 12 in the world is a big thing for me. I'm just happy with the way I'm approaching the matches and my training and everything, and yeah, I'm looking forward to keep on continuing, hopefully trying to get better and better on this surface and just in general.

Q. Just wondering if clay is a surface that you needed to see proof you were going to be good on it, or if you knew from the start it was going to be good for you, if your team was trying to convince you it was good for you, what relationship with the surface?

JACK DRAPER: No, I mean, I guess professionally with the ATP I haven't played loads on it, but when I was younger, whether it was in the U.K. or abroad, playing European events, like I always did well on the clay. Like I always thought I was a player who could play well on all surfaces.

I guess it's a bit different at this level. Last year I took a few tough losses against top players when I was unseeded. Then this year, yeah, it's just been about trying to stay fit, but also trying to show that I feel good on this surface. In training I felt great, and I just want to keep going, and I think this surface could be amazing for my tennis.

Q. How much do you and James use data when kind of working on your game or scouting opponents versus just your feelings and, yeah, how you think things should go?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I mean, I think I've never been someone who is that analytical. Like, we look at maybe serving patterns, and where someone likes to stand on the return, and what side's better, and how can I adapt my game to expose, I guess, some things.

But mainly we just say it's about me. You know, what am I going to do to be the best I can be out on the court and to compete and play as well as I can. That's the main thing as well, to give everything to every point, compete, and play the way I know I can play, and then the rest should take care of itself.

Q. I don't know if you read the comment from Alcaraz documentary about doubting sometimes he's ready to make the sacrifices it takes to be the best, one of the best of all time. I'm wondering what is your relationship with the sacrifices it takes to be at the highest level, and if sometimes you wonder also, like, do I want to do that to my life?

JACK DRAPER: Sorry, what was the last bit?

Q. Do I want to do that to my life?

JACK DRAPER: Do I want to what?

Q. Sacrifices to be at the highest level. Is it, for you it's a no-brainer, you're going to do it, or at the moment you are like, Uh, maybe not?

JACK DRAPER: Well, no, there's no denying I think that in any professional sport, but especially in tennis it's so relentless, we're playing, we're competing, we're away from our families, we're just sacrificing our lives. I think if you do this sport properly as well and give it everything every day, you know, it's tough. I doubt myself every day that, you know, can I keep going, can I keep going, can I keep going, but, you know, I do.

So I guess if you want to be great then these are the things you have to do. It's not like we're, there's much harder work out there, you know, putting things in perspective. I do a sport I love, I get to travel with amazing people, earn good money. And, you know, it is really, really mentally challenging, physically challenging, but I think, yeah, I kind of, I enjoy that.

So I don't know how long I'll play for, I don't know if I'll play until I'm in the mid 30s, I don't know when I'll play to, so I'm just going to try and make the best out of my career, hopefully try and fulfill my potential. I know that in order to do that, then I need to give everything.

Q. Curious about your thoughts on Arnaldi and the next match.

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, young player, likes the clay. Obviously had a huge win against Novak this week, that would have been big for his confidence. I think he's been knocking on the door around top-30 for a while now. Really professional player. Like whenever I've seen him around he's always doing the right things. Fully dedicated to the sport.

It will be a really tough match. He's obviously in the quarters as well, playing well, feeling confident. So I'm sure there will be small margins and a big challenge for me, but I feel like, yeah, I'm ready for the challenge.

Q. As an Arsenal fan I have football on my mind. Am I right thinking that you're a United fan?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah.

Q. How much of a football fan are you, and in general what other sports are you interested you, I guess?

JACK DRAPER: I was more into Premier League when I was younger. I think, like tennis, it seems like there's too much matches or too many things to follow now. Obviously being on different time zones, different places all the time it's tough to keep following the team. So I've sort of fell out of love with trying to follow it all the time. Obviously, maybe, Man U aren't doing so well, so that could be the reason why. But you guys are playing pretty well, so, no, it's good.

Q. (No microphone.)

JACK DRAPER: Sometimes, yeah, sometimes.

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