Jack Draper is again in motion as soon as once more, enjoying simply his second match of the yr in Dubai.
The British primary has suffered a tumultuous previous yr, laden with some of his greatest victories, but in addition some of his hardest moments.
After all, what began out as a massively promising season, profitable the title in Indian Wells, swiftly devolved into an damage nightmare.
He exited occasions early and was compelled to observe on as his rivals competed for the sport’s elite honours.
Where will Jack Draper be ranked by the finish of 2026?
Even final month at the Australian Open, Jack Draper was deemed incapable of competing, as an alternative rendered a spectator.
However, that didn’t detract from his enjoyment in watching Novak Djokovic compete, as soon as once more, at the very highest degree.
Jack Draper names Novak Djokovic as the greatest tennis player of all time
Speaking to The National News forward of his return to motion in Dubai, the 24-year-old was requested about the Serbian’s gorgeous run to the Australian Open last.
On his manner, he defeated Jannik Sinner, snapping a five-match shedding streak in opposition to the former world primary earlier than shedding to Carlos Alcaraz in the last.
Novak Djokovic is the tennis GOAT… Prove us incorrect
Asked about whether or not this efficiency had stunned him at all, Draper replied: “Nothing surprises me with Novak. I think, for me, he’s the greatest tennis player of all time.”
He then expanded on his daring declare: “He is an example to everyone just of longevity and true greatness. I think whenever I watch him play, I’m always inspired by the fact that in Australia, what he won it, like 10 times? And he’s out there in his 11th final there. And for me and for many other players, he’s a proper inspiration and someone that we all look up to and aspire to be like.”
Ironically, when Martina Navratilova picked her greatest tennis player of all time, she opted not for Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer, however another person totally.
When Jack Draper performed Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
Despite his presence round the apex of the ATP Tour for a number of years now, Draper has truly solely confronted Djokovic as soon as.
That got here when the reigning Indian Wells champion was simply bursting onto the scene, in the first spherical of his first-ever Wimbledon look.
Granted the alternative to face his GOAT on Centre Court at the All-England Club, Draper shocked the tennis world when he raced right into a one-set lead.
Sadly, his fairytale begin got here to an abrupt finish, defeated by Djokovic over 4 units.
Draper will hope to get the alternative to face him once more in the coming years, hopefully in the latter levels of the sport’s most elite competitions.
