Jack Draper snuck into the fourth-seed spot at Wimbledon by the skin of his teeth with his performance at Queen’s, doing just what he needed to achieve that feat.
Many expected him to reach at least the semi-finals, but to accomplish that whilst ill marked an outstanding effort in front of an expectant home crowd.
Speaking after his defeat to Jiri Lehecka, the British number one admitted: ‘I haven’t felt good all week.
‘Today’s probably the worst I’ve felt. Did I think about withdrawing? No, not at all. I’m in the semi-finals at Queen’s. I’d probably go on court with a broken leg. I wouldn’t have pulled out for anything.
‘So I went out there, gave all I had, and I can be very proud of that. And also, it’s not an excuse. It’s just the way I feel.’
The hope is that Jack Draper has shaken off this in time for Wimbledon.
Jack Draper delivers health update after illness at Queen’s
Asked to update fans on his current health status, after a bout of tonsillitis during that run to the semi-finals, Draper happily obliged.
After all, he had nothing but good news this time, stating: ‘No, I feel good now. Queens was a tough week for me, playing through that.
‘I tried to give it my all. I wasn’t able to find the tennis I wanted on the court or feel physically that great, but to give myself a chance of making the final, I think, was in reflection a really good effort.
‘It was quite an emotionally taxing week because I was trying to get so much out of myself, but, you know, I rested up for a couple of days. I have trained, I played a match at Hurlingham, and I feel much better now.
‘I’m full of energy to try and find my best tennis this coming week.’
The 23-year-old will have to be on form from the very start, given Draper’s Wimbledon draw has not been kind.
Jack Draper used to retire in moments like these
A year or two ago, illness would have been enough to see Draper retire from these kinds of matches.
After all, he used to suffer often from heat exhaustion or regular injuries that constantly prohibited his progression.
But, going away and putting the time in off the court, it seems that at last those problems are solved.
He has built himself a robust, dominant frame that would strike fear into almost all of his opponents. And, Draper backs that up with a thunderous array of shots, from his serve to his left-handed forehand.
But crucially, since 2025 began, he very rarely suffers injuries, and so has been able to maintain some form and fitness for what feels like the first time in his career.
The world number four is certainly reaping the benefits, and will hope to use this newfound dogged mindset to propel him to new heights at Wimbledon.
