In the heart of the Vienna Ice Skating Club, where an expansive ice rink had been transformed into indoor tennis courts in October, Jack Draper was deeply engrossed in his training before one of his final tournaments of the season. His practice partner for the day was Frances Tiafoe, a top-20 player known for his humor even in the heat of competition. As they engaged in intense practice sets, Tiafoe repeatedly glanced down the court, attempting to catch Draper's eye to crack a joke after each spectacular shot. Draper, however, was entirely focused on maximizing his performance during their limited court time. He played with aggressive precision, and after an hour of high-intensity practice, Draper emerged with a set lead.
Throughout the year, Draper has consistently attributed his breakthrough performances to the disciplined daily work and professionalism he has embraced. In that secluded Viennese hall, with no spectators, his concentration was unmistakable. 'When I was younger, I didn't have much of a work ethic,' says Draper, who turns 23 on December 22. 'When you're young, you enter the world of tennis without fully understanding what it entails. It's a harsh realization that to excel, you must mature and act like an adult at 20. I wasn't prepared for that; I didn't want to work hard, sacrifice, or be professional.' It wasn't until Draper missed the grass season last year, including Wimbledon, due to a shoulder injury that his mindset shifted. Until then, numerous injuries had largely defined his career.
'That's when I realized I needed a change,' he says. 'I'm proud of how I took responsibility for being different, and I've reaped many rewards from those decisions. Many positive things have come from striving to improve, grow, become a better person, and more independent.' By the end of the week in Austria, Draper's efforts culminated in the biggest title of his career at the Vienna Open, his first ATP 500 victory. It was a fitting end to a year where he established himself as the new leader of British men's tennis, finishing 2024 with his first two ATP titles, a US Open semi-final, and a career-high ranking of 14.
The year wasn't without its challenges. Midway through the season, every other match seemed to end in grueling three-set losses. Yet, Draper handled his disappointments and doubts with maturity, always believing he was on the right path. 'I think it was beneficial for me,' he says. 'People often say it's not the achievement that feels great, but the process of achieving it. Going through the work, doubts, and worries is what makes it enjoyable.' Looking back, he's learned to appreciate both the highs and the hard work.
Maturity has also extended to his personal life. A few years ago, the kitchen in his family home was unfamiliar territory, prompting him to seek cooking advice from friend Jannik Sinner. 'I didn't know how to cook,' he laughs. 'He's Italian, so I thought he'd know pasta. I should have asked my mum.' Recently, he bought his own place, moving back in with close friend and former flatmate Paul Jubb. This year, he spent months at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, an arrangement less than ideal. Now, he embraces the independence and responsibilities of homeownership, including cooking. 'I'm calmer,' he says. 'I have more belief in my tennis and life outside the court. It's hard as a young player; your personal life is on hold. But I've found a good balance.'
New opportunities have also emerged. A day after competing in the Davis Cup, he sat front row at the Burberry London Fashion Week show—'a bit of a weird experience'—a world away from his usual environment but an enjoyable afternoon. 'People say I have a modeling contract, but I don't. I've done a few things here and there.' Among the celebrities, Draper sought out a photo with British rapper Skepta: 'I told him, 'I listen to your music before playing, I respect you, you're an amazing artist.' UK rap, from Skepta to Central Cee, shapes Draper's daily life, though his music tastes are varied. He happily cleans his house to classical music and secured a ticket for Oasis's reunion tour.
Draper also faced his first controversy this year. Up a match point against Félix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open, the umpire missed a double bounce before Draper's drop-volley winner. Amid fan and player backlash, Draper acknowledged the error but insisted he was genuinely unsure. Impressively, he addressed the issue with patience and sincerity, quickly defusing the situation. It was a reminder that relentless scrutiny and abuse are now part of his life. 'My first pro match in 2018, I won 6-0, 6-0, and people were furious—they wanted to find my mum,' he says. 'It's every match; you get hundreds of messages, and you can't stop it. If I lose, my latest Instagram will have 100 messages with clown emojis and snakes. You can't control it. Girls get it worse than guys.'
If more scrutiny comes with winning, Draper's ultimate goal remains winning more matches. After the Vienna Open, he mentioned two names without hesitation: Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Draper hopes to chase them in 2025 while vying for the biggest titles. His growth on and off the court suggests these ambitions are within reach.
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