Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are, by a considerable margin, the best two tennis players on the planet.
In fact, the gulf between them and the chasing pack is so big that many have questioned who could ever possibly step up and challenge them, not just for their spots atop the rankings, but for any of the Grand Slams too.
There are a few names that continue to crop up when this debate emerges, most of whom are young and therefore have yet to fully reach their potential.
However, from a competitive standpoint outside of this pair, it does make for a bleak viewing.
One man who continually finds his way into these conversations though, is Jack Draper. He has now once again been tipped to usurp this dominance in 2026.
Jack Draper backed to shine in 2026
Speaking on the Australian Open podcast, this overwhelming topic of conversation, as it has done for the last two years, once again emerged.
After all, the last eight Grand Slam titles have been shared between just Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, with the last person outside of this duopoly to win one being the 38-year-old Novak Djokovic.
Where will Jack Draper be ranked by the end of 2026?
Aside from this trio, there seems to be very little threat to these major honours.
Alas, Daria Saville has backed Draper to be the man to change all that, noting: “I am going to go with Draper. He did win Indian Wells, and he has had decent results at Slams as well. Big serve, lefty. Pretty solid off the baseline. He has got the weapons to join Alcaraz and Sinner, I think.”
This prompted Jaimee Fourlis to offer her verdict, which was not quite as hopeful: “I don’t think there is anyone who will be in that third spot next year.
“I just think the top two, Sinner and Alcaraz, are too good. In terms of someone will have a breakout year and be in contention, but to be able to hold the level throughout the whole year like Sinner and Alcaraz, I don’t think there’s anyone who is going to be the third.”
Draper has said how far he feels from challenging Alcaraz and Sinner, and clearly does not share the same optimism that Saville does.
What Jack Draper needs to do in 2026 to be a threat
Draper will have been working tirelessly where possible during his period away from competitive tennis, in order to return better than ever.
After all, the physical and technical transformation we saw in 2025 compared to 2024 was massive, once again forged during his time injured.
Sadly, injuries have been such a huge part of the 22-year-old’s early career, but he is fortunate that he is still so young.
Rate Jack Draper’s 2025 season out of 10
It feels like physical ailments are the only thing really stopping him from competing at the very apex of the sport, having already registered wins over both Alcaraz and Sinner, something many others in his position have not.
If he can keep fit and continue improving at his current rate, there’s no reason why 2026 could not see him become a genuine threat and establish himself among those elite two.
