INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 14, 2025

Jack Draper

Mixed Zone

C. ALCARAZ/J. Draper

6-4, 6-4

JACK DRAPER: He played a good match. I felt from my side this week I've been a little bit more up and down with my level, a bit in and out with my quality and my concentration. I think I wasn't able to get away with that today against him, so...

I think Carlos just played the more consistent match. Yeah, I think tactically he played a good match today, as well.

Q. (Question about fatigue.)

JACK DRAPER: I've been playing the last four weeks now pretty much. I don't want to think about it or admit it, but probably it has a big effect I think on not just today but throughout the week.

I've been struggling a little bit, like I said, to maintain my quality all throughout the matches. Today against someone like that, you can't have those dips in your standards because you get punished.

I think, yeah, definitely has something. At the end of the day that's not why I lost today. I lost to a better player.

Q. With your great results the last few weeks, what has it taught you about being consistently a top player on all surfaces, what it takes to do that?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I mean, I've been playing some really good stuff. I'm really proud of the way I've approached the clay season, especially so far. Obviously good results. Hard to keep on going. But I know that if I want to be a top, top player, I have to be consistent week in, week out.

I obviously lost to a great player today. I'm very disappointed with the way I performed in a way. I think from a mental and emotional point of view, like, obviously you could say, That's normal, you had a tough four weeks now.

I don't want to be normal. I want to be right up there. It hurts a lot, this kind of loss. But like I said, Carlos played a really good match and he was the better player. I have to accept that, go back to the drawing board, really prepare well for the French Open, know that I'm hopefully going to have many more chances against these great players.

Q. What changes with five sets in a Grand Slam on clay?

JACK DRAPER: I mean, yeah, it's just a little bit more physical, a bit more of an up-and-down, roller coaster match. The momentum shifts are a little bit different in the five sets.

I've only ever played Roland Garros once properly. The first time I got injured before the match. I'm looking forward to going to Roland Garros because I haven't been able to play very good tennis there in the past.

This time hopefully it's a good opportunity for me to go and really put my game on the court and carry on with the momentum where I left off. Definitely after today I'll be very hungry to want to show some really good stuff there.

Q. How has the way you've handled losses over your career changed?

JACK DRAPER: I mean, I think at the start of my career maybe it would take a few --

I actually think as I've got better, it hurts more because I know I can do so well. Like for instance today, I feel like I'm much better than that from a lot of standards, just from a mental and emotional side of the match. At the same time that's what the best players in the world do, they make you feel like that.

I think I'm learning how to deal with losses better, but definitely in a good way. Losses on the tour has helped me to get more motivated and get more hungry to improve areas in my game to then want to play these top players and do better.

Q. How do you find the balance between using your frustration to make you better and having it overwhelm you?

JACK DRAPER: I think today I was a little bit negative in general. Usually I'm not so negative. But I think it's one of my biggest strengths, the competitor I am.

Even if I'm angry, even if I'm not feeling good or negative, I still try my best for every point I think. It's an area that I'm continually working on and trying to get better.

It's going to take time. Like, I'm a year and a half, year and three-quarters into being on the tour full-time. It takes a lot of getting used to.

I recorded my hundredth win this weekend. I thought that was a lot until I saw how many wins these other top boys have. They have 300. It's very different.

The more time I get on the tour, the more exposure to these top players on the highest levels, biggest stages, it's only going to help me become a complete player more mentally.