Jack Draper, the newly crowned British men’s number one, thinks that achieving his maiden ATP victory has strengthened his belief that he can rank among the top players in the world.
With his victory at the Stuttgart Open, the youngster concluded an incredible playing experience in which he rose to the top of his country’s rankings. Since Andy Murray in 2009, Draper is the youngest British men’s number one, now ranked 31st in the world.
Murray remarked that Draper could go places and reach the top of the world rankings.
Following this compliment, Draper declared: “It’s amazing to hear that from someone like Andy… Being the number one Brit is a huge honour and a huge privilege, I know, but I hadn’t thought about that at all.”
“My goal is to be one of the top players in the world,” he added.
On having injuries and fitness issues
Although Draper has always been seen to have the skill to succeed in the game, his development has been hindered by fitness and injury concerns. A shoulder problem ruled him out of the British grass-court season last year.
Draper said: “It’s been tough, I have been close a few times and not quite getting it over the line… I think it really changes my belief system a little bit as well as to what I can achieve.”
He added: “Winning a title helps me to believe more and more.”
Now, he will play his first match on home soil as the top-ranked British player when he takes on Mariano Navone of Argentina.
Source: BBC