Greater than something, Liam Draxl is concentrated on bettering.
That has been his major objective all through 2024, his first full season as an expert. The Canadian has needed to adapt to the week-to-week calls for of the Challenger Tour, logging over 125 whole matches in singles and doubles. To play that a lot tennis in a single 12 months means you need to be profitable matches—and Draxl has definitely completed his share of profitable in 2024.
“It was positively 12 months,” mentioned Draxl in a latest interview with Match Level Canada. “I really feel like I’ve discovered my groove being on the street quite a bit, taking part in so many tournaments and matches.”
The previous Kentucky standout captured two ITF singles titles this fall on the M25 Edmonton and M25 Saint Augustin tournaments. He additionally reached the ultimate on the Puerto Vallarta Open in November, marking his second profession ATP Challenger ultimate.
Draxl, who claimed his first ATP Challenger doubles title again in 2021 whereas nonetheless in school, has transitioned easily to skilled tennis. He turned professional in June of final 12 months and promptly gained his first Challenger singles title on the Calgary Nationwide Financial institution Challenger. Since then, he has maintained a gentle presence inside the highest 300 of the rankings. Now, he’s aiming even larger.
Learn extra: Canadian tennis enjoys distinctive 12 months on and off the courtroom
“It could be nice to get into Grand Slam qualifying pretty quickly. I really feel like these can be good experiences for me. Stepping into that [200] rating vary—that’s positively the subsequent step for me.”
That subsequent step is one thing one among his former teammates achieved in 2024. Draxl has watched with delight as fellow Kentucky alumnus Gabriel Diallo soared into the High 100 after reaching the third spherical of the US Open, and advancing to his first profession ATP ultimate on the Almaty Open in Kazakhstan.
“It’s been tremendous cool watching and rooting him on,” mentioned the Newmarket native.“Clearly, we spent a lot time collectively in school. We’re the identical age, each Canadian. It offers me a little bit of hope and perception—considering if one among my good pals and teammates can break by way of, perhaps it’s doable for me to do the identical.”
Rising up in Newmarket, ON, Draxl’s path to skilled tennis was removed from typical. He didn’t attend costly academies or high-performance clinics. As a substitute, he discovered the sport by taking part in in quite a lot of settings.
“I used to be taking part in doubles in leagues, grownup clinics with my dad—simply taking part in with everybody and anybody. I feel it uncovered me to a number of various things throughout the sport and I’m actually grateful for that.”
On the courtroom, Draxl is thought for his fiery angle, aggressive depth, and relentless spirit. It’s no shock that his idol rising up was a lately retired 22-time Grand Slam champion.
“I used to be a Rafa [Nadal] man for certain. I simply beloved his depth, his competitiveness. The entire psychological facet of how he did issues was so spectacular.”
Whereas his pace, mentality, and defensive expertise are strengths, Draxl is aware of he must develop a extra offensive recreation to achieve the subsequent degree.
“I’m extra of a grinder and it’s actually bodily. For those who’re attempting to grind each match, how practical is it to run side-to-side each match, week in and week out?” laughed the 23-year-old.
“I feel getting extra free factors on the serve could make a giant distinction for me. That, and attempting to play a bit extra offense on the forehand.”
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Though his important profession focus is on singles, Draxl has additionally excelled in doubles this season. The 23-year-old has gained six doubles titles, 5 on the Challenger degree, alongside companions like fellow Canadians Cleeve Harper (4 titles) and Benjamin Sigouin (two titles). His doubles success has boosted his rating to a career-high of No. 132 and supplied useful expertise.
Picture: Puerto Vallarta Open – Draxl and Sigouin have fun profitable the doubles crown
“It helps your singles. It helps you modify to the circumstances, get on the match courtroom—it’s rather less stress. There are such a lot of positives to taking part in singles and doubles in case your physique’s feeling good.”
Whereas adapting to the skilled degree has been difficult, Draxl admits that the hardest hurdle is the time spent away from dwelling.
“I miss my household and my family members. I feel that’s the toughest half—being remoted out right here, taking part in tournaments, going from resort room to resort room. That’s the most important problem for certain.”
As Draxl continues to navigate the grind of the skilled circuit, his progress in 2024 means that greater milestones could also be on the horizon.
CLICK HERE to take heed to full interview on Match Level Canada.
