Jack Draper is back in action once again, playing just his second match of the year in Dubai.
The British number one has suffered a tumultuous past year, laden with some of his greatest victories, but also some of his toughest moments.
After all, what started out as a hugely promising season, winning the title in Indian Wells, swiftly devolved into an injury nightmare.
He exited events early and was forced to watch on as his rivals competed for the sport’s elite honours.
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Even last month at the Australian Open, Jack Draper was deemed incapable of competing, instead rendered a spectator.
However, that did not detract from his enjoyment in watching Novak Djokovic compete, once again, at the very highest level.
Jack Draper names Novak Djokovic as the greatest tennis player of all time
Speaking to The National News ahead of his return to action in Dubai, the 24-year-old was asked about the Serbian’s stunning run to the Australian Open final.
On his way, he defeated Jannik Sinner, snapping a five-match losing streak against the former world number one before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
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Asked about whether this performance had surprised him at all, Draper replied: “Nothing surprises me with Novak. I think, for me, he’s the greatest tennis player of all time.”
He then expanded on his bold claim: “He is an example to everyone just of longevity and true greatness. I think whenever I watch him play, I’m always inspired by the fact that in Australia, what he won it, like 10 times? And he’s out there in his 11th final there. And for me and for many other players, he’s a proper inspiration and someone that we all look up to and aspire to be like.”
Ironically, when Martina Navratilova picked her greatest tennis player of all time, she opted not for Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer, but someone else entirely.
When Jack Draper played Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
Despite his presence around the apex of the ATP Tour for a few years now, Draper has actually only faced Djokovic once.
That came when the reigning Indian Wells champion was just bursting onto the scene, in the first round of his first-ever Wimbledon appearance.
Granted the opportunity to face his GOAT on Centre Court at the All-England Club, Draper stunned the tennis world when he raced into a one-set lead.
Sadly, his fairytale start came to an abrupt end, defeated by Djokovic over four sets.
Draper will hope to get the opportunity to face him again in the coming years, hopefully in the latter stages of the sport’s most elite competitions.
