Jack Draper has swiftly grown into one of the best players on the ATP Tour, massively buoyed by his impressive last 18 months.
After all, reaching the semi-finals of the 2024 US Open marked the catalyst that kickstarted his rise up the rankings, and winning Indian Wells earlier this year solidified that notion.
Despite missing almost half of the season through injury, the 22-year-old still finished ranked inside the world’s top ten.
He is on track to have a long and successful career, provided he can solve those fitness issues.
If he enjoys half as good a career as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer managed, then Jack Draper and British tennis will likely be delighted.
Who Jack Draper named as his tennis GOAT
And, speaking about that trio alongside Serena Williams just last year, he actually picked his favourite out amongst them.
Asked to choose who he thought was the greatest tennis player of all time, he gave an in-depth response to Sky Sports.
Novak Djokovic is the tennis GOAT… Prove us wrong
First separating Serena into her own section as the female GOAT, Draper then battled with his head and his heart before settling on an answer.
“My heart is Rafael Nadal,” he started. “But who do I think is the best tennis player of all time?
“I mean, let’s just separate Serena out because she’s the female GOAT. I think we can put that down. A separate one for, because she’s incredible.
“Out of these three…When I was growing up, every kit, every new look, was him [Nadal]. He was just so iconic, being a left-hander like myself.
What would have happened if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played at the same time as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
“My head says Novak. My heart is Rafa, but for me, the GOAT is obviously Novak Djokovic.”
Ironically, when Martina Navratilova named her greatest tennis player of all time, she snubbed all four of those mentioned in Draper’s conversation.
Jack Draper could challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2026
For competitiveness, men’s tennis needs a new competitor to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
After all, thus far, nobody even comes close, with all of the last eight major titles shared between just the two of them.
Their dominance is not restricted to just the Grand Slams either, as when both are present in a draw, one of them almost always wins the whole thing.
Jack Draper is the ATP’s best bet at unsettling Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance – prove us wrong…
Draper, when fit, has proven his ability to compete with both of them. He boasts wins over the duo in big moments.
The main fear for the British number one is his injury troubles, which have curtailed multiple years for him now.
Hopefully 2026 can be one of perfect health for him, where he can prove why he is the man to usurp this duopoly and establish a new Big Three.
