Jack Draper says he wants to become one of the best tennis players in the world after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Cincinnati Masters.
The British world No.28 battled back from a set down to beat the ninth seed 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. It is the fourth time this season that Draper has beaten a top 20 player on the Tour out of 12 attempts. Out of those victories, his most high-profile win was over Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s.
“I think what won me the match (against Tsitsipas) was the way I competed and my determination to win,” Draper told The Tennis Channel.
“I think that showed in key moments. Stefanos is an incredible player and competitor and I’m very proud of the way my focus was out there and the way I competed.”
A deep run in Cincinnati this week will move the 22-year-old closer to his goal of breaking into the top 20. He has already made a breakthrough on the Tour this season by winning his first ATP title at the Stuttgart Open. He also reached the final of another event in Adelaide and the semi-finals in Acapulco.
Back in May Draper expanded his team by recruiting Wayne Ferreira, who is currently working alongside fellow coach James Trotman. As a player, Ferreira broke into the world’s top 10 and was a two-time semi-finalist at the Australian Open. After retiring from the sport, he mentored Frances Tiafoe before teaming up with Draper.
“Having Wayne come on board and giving all his advice. Getting to number six in the world and coaching Francis to being in the top ten. I think he has incredible value.” Draper explained.
“His message to me is I’ve got to be more aggressive. I’ve got to try and take more risk, be the one to force the play because, at the end of the day, I think tennis is going in that way where everyone’s a lot more aggressive now.
“He’s a huge add-on to my team and I’m really excited about what’s coming with him.”
Draoper’s hope is the setup will help him fulfill some ambitious goals he has for the future as he aims to play alongside the best in the world. Something he thinks is achievable if he works on the small margins in his game.
“I have big, big goals. I want to genuinely be one of the best players in the world.” He said.
“I think for me the difference is in the way I play. Trying to play more aggressively but also the best players in the world.
“They only win 53, 54% of the points. The margins at this level are so small.
“I think it’s how I can play those those bigger points better and how I am able to manage, emotionally and physically atthe top level.”
Draper will take on either Casper Ruud or Felix Auger-Aliassime in his next match in Cincinnati.
