INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 13, 2025

Jack Draper

Mixed Zone

J. DRAPER/C. Moutet

1-6, 6-4, 6-3

Q. Obviously crazy match. He's obviously such a tricky opponent. What did it feel like to actually play him, find a way through?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I mean, I don't think I played many people like him before. Credit to him. He came out and he was, yeah... Finding it so strange from the start.

Actually, I started off pretty well. When we kind of got into it from there, I felt like very uncomfortable. I didn't really know what to do. Kind of got away from me the first set. Thought I just had to start off the second from scratch. Knew I had to change a few things tactically, be there for every point because his level wasn't going to drop. I knew that.

Really, really happy with the way I problem solved. I think there's a lot of lessons I can take from that match.

Q. After the first set you looked really frustrated at times.

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, no, for sure. That's one of his biggest strengths, is that he frustrates players massively. There's not many like him. His dropshots are incredible. Especially on a slow clay court, probably his best court to play on.

Tactically I think he had a game plan from the start. He was moving around his backhand really well. Started volleying a lot. I was a bit caught off guard with what he was bringing.

To end up coming through the match, problem solving, is really important for my development I think at this stage.

Q. You're playing Carlos next. This is going to be your first match against a top-five player as a top-five player. How do you feel yourself in relation to a top player like Carlos? Must feel a bit different compared to when you were ranked lower.

JACK DRAPER: I don't really think about it too much. Obviously I suppose we're both in the top five in the world now. But I see it as just two guys who are playing great tennis going out there and wanting to win and beat each other and be competitive.

I have big respect for him. I know what he's going to bring. He's going to be really tough to beat. I think we play tomorrow.

So obviously there is a bit of a change in dynamic. I feel strong and I feel good about the match. I hope that I can bring some really good tennis.

Q. Being top five, what does it change for you on a daily basis?

JACK DRAPER: Nothing. Nothing. The last couple years I've been trying to be as consistent as possible on the practice court, listening to my coach as much as possible, conserving energy off the court.

But yeah, nothing I feel has changed with myself. I've just tried to keep on getting better as a player, make sure that when I do go and compete, that I give my best for every point and every match.

Yeah, no, I'm obviously feeling good that I kept on progressing. Let's hope this week I can go another step.

Q. Saw a video of you from years ago playing an ITF.

JACK DRAPER: Yes.

Q. You talked a lot about the development of your forehand. Your forehand there was completely different.

JACK DRAPER: Yeah.

Q. What was the process of changing that and making it more compact? How long did that take?

JACK DRAPER: I mean, when I was younger, my backhand was always the shot that I could close my eyes and hit a hundred backhands. Like it doesn't matter. Whereas the forehand took a lot of time to develop. I was with my old coach at the time, Ryan. Yeah, I think I was 16 at that stage. It's a long, long time.

When I started working with my current coach James, we were trying to figure out what we were going to do. The forehand was an area that I always thought could be a weapon, but it was a weakness as well. Anytime anyone would rush it, it would not hold up. I wasn't able to get through the ball as much as I wanted to.

We worked on my body positions, how I'm going to be able to come forward. There's a big misconception that to be a top player your forehand has to look a certain way. I don't think that's the truth. You just have to hit the ball in front and learn how to use your body to be effective.

We did a really good job on that. Still a work in progress.

But yeah, I suppose I was 16 at the time as well. A lot of physical development, a lot of understanding of what I need to do with my body positions to be better.

Q. What was 16-year-old Jack like? You won three consecutive futures.

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, very different then. A bit of a maniac, to be honest. Yeah, no, it was a great experience for me going to those sort of places, playing the 25s. Very different culture. Very different environment. Like, gave me a lot of good perspective.

I'd have like a wet grip, because it was so humid there. I'd put it in a bin and the kids were fighting over it. Just the energy from the people there, they were really passionate about tennis.

To go to those sort of places, yeah, was definitely... Going from the UK and having a lot of, I guess, things given to me and stuff, it definitely helped the way I saw life almost.

Q. Your forehand has been a gradual change.

JACK DRAPER: Yeah.

Q. Was there a moment where you made a significant change technically?

JACK DRAPER: No. I mean, I suppose it wasn't really a technical change. I mean, as I've got older and stuff, I think your forehand just naturally does do some changes. It adapts.

You look at Rafa's forehand 2009, completely different to 2008. 2008 was completely different to 2010. Just naturally it goes through changes. Sometimes you don't even think about it.

But I suppose, like, I'm continuing to try and neaten it up a little bit, how to adjust to fast shots. It has to have a small take-back and stuff like that. Still development to come on that, I'm sure.