Andy Roddick acknowledges Jack Draper has proven noticeable enhancements these days however warns the Briton that he “can not skip steps” and should hold working arduous, particularly within the bodily division as a result of withstanding a deep and demanding Grand Slam run might be the subsequent factor he must additional solidify his case as being the actual deal.
It isn’t a secret that the Briton typically struggled along with his health and accidents early in his profession, which compromised his outcomes and led to criticism from British media. However to this point in 2025, the 23-year-old has been enjoying the tennis of his life and he just lately turned a Masters champion in Indian Wells and in addition secured breaking into the top-10 for the primary time in his profession with that run.
Since Draper’s run to the Indian Wells title was nothing wanting spectacular since he beat the likes of Joao Fonseca, Jenson Brooksby, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune, some immediately began declaring him a brand new high participant.
In a column for Betway, Roddick talked about that the brand new world No. 7 improved his health, backhand and in “a variety of different areas.”
Roddick to Draper: Do not skip steps
“I really like Draper’s course of and I really like the best way he’s working, however I don’t prefer to skip steps so I wouldn’t say that he’s undoubtedly confirmed himself as a high participant. If I’m him, I’m going, ‘OK, I’ve confirmed I can beat everybody on this planet. I’ve overwhelmed Alcaraz in a event that he loves, I’ve made the semis of a significant,'” the American tennis legend added.
Roddick then introduced up his personal case and the way enduring back-to-back grueling five-setters on the 2003 Australian Open made him really feel assured in his physique and set him up nicely for his 2003 US Open win.
“Believing in your physique and understanding that it may keep there, and also you’re not having to compromise decision-making to shorten factors, that’s a giant deal. You’ll be able to’t pressure perception, however I’ve bought to assume it’s beginning to are available at a fairly accelerated price for Draper. In Australia this yr, getting by these five-setters when he wasn’t even enjoying his greatest exhibits his physique can stand up to the damage and tear of three-out-of-five, which perhaps we didn’t know earlier than,” the 2003 US Open winner famous.
Going into the clay season, Roddick additionally stated that he’s concerned about seeing how Draper does there.
