“That’s what stress does to you” – Draper feels the heat during landmark win

The British No 4 earned a career-first win at the Australian Open, but was made to suffer during a five-set epic in extreme heat

Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 16, 2023 Britain’s Jack Draper in action during his first round match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

Jamie Malachy

January 16, 2024

Australian Open •First round • completed

See draw

M. GironvsJ. Draper

Jack Draper revealed near the close of last season that the aim for the end of 2024 was to be in the top 20.

Currently ranked 55 in the world after an injury-plagued 2023, that seems a reasonable first target.

But the truth is, after a start to this year as impressive as his finish to the last, he could well be aiming much higher soon enough.

The current British No 4 has won five of his opening six matches of the season so far, reaching his second consecutive tour-level final in Adelaide before a milestone victory in Melbourne earned him a career-first win at the Australian Open.

But landmark victories seldom come easy, and Draper’s epic five-set tussle with American Marcos Giron was no exception to the rule.

Played in temperatures exceeding 30C, and lasting for 3 hours and 20 minutes, Draper’s first five-set match proved to be a true baptism of fire.

psychological pressures take their toll on Draper

Having had his blood pressure checked during the match, Draper was also physically sick immediately after shaking Giron’s hand at the net. It was testament to just how extreme conditions had been, but Draper was quick to point out in his post-match press conference that the physical problems he endured most likely stemmed from the psychological exertion as much as anything.

“I think it was more kind of psychological stress today that was causing my sort of fatigue rather than the physical nature because I felt better in the fifth set than I did the first.

“When you are very stressed, especially in hot conditions, and you are playing a guy as well, you can be sort of too focused on yourself whereas you are playing him as well.

“I just felt like my chest was very tight. It was referring to my back, and I just felt I couldn’t really hold myself up. I think, yeah, that’s what stress does to you.”

For a player that has suffered extensively from physical ailments, with a large chunk of last season decimated by various injuries, it will have been a learning curve for Draper to cope with the toll of the mental pressures of a five-set Grand Slam battle.

“I think it will help a lot coming through this match. I feel like maybe in a couple of days it would be very different because I’m a bit more relaxed now maybe.

“There’s still some underlying stuff that obviously I need to work on, whether that be psychologically starting these slams or just the way I’m handling the anxiety and the nerves…

“But it is a big positive that physically I was able to come through the match, not cramp. As the match went on, I got better and better.”

tommy paul up next for draper

Next up for Draper is another American, but one with much greater Grand Slam pedigree. World No 14 and a semi-finalist in Melbourne last year, Tommy Paul will be a big step up in quality for the Brit.

But with two wins from two against the American, their second-round encounter is another opportunity for Draper to further showcase his credentials as a soon-to-be leading ATP player.

“He’s obviously a great player. First tournament of the year, maybe guys aren’t quite finding their game yet. The match I played against him, I was really solid. I played great tennis. But obviously five sets is different.

“I think it definitely does help, though, having played him twice and obviously won twice. If that was sort of me, then I would be a bit more fearful.

“But it will be a tough match, and he’ll be wanting to get some revenge on me for sure.”