THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2021

Jack Draper

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/J. Draper

4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You looked like you loved that experience out there. How was it playing your first match on Centre Court?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, it was amazing. I thought the atmosphere was incredible today, playing against such an amazing player like Novak, someone that we all admire. It was a great opportunity and experience for me. I'm glad the way I handled myself today.

Like you said, the atmosphere was amazing. I'm very grateful for that. So, yeah.

Q. Can you describe your feelings as you actually walked out on court alongside him?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, Novak for me is much of an inspiration. He's one of the greatest players of all time. I'm still 19. I've still got a lot to improve on and learn. I can do that from him. He's a great role model for any young player. I was glad to share the court with him. Hopefully in years to come I can play him again.

Q. Talk us through the first set. It was a question of saving breakpoints, I guess a brilliant start from him. You came back so strongly. How pleased were you to hold your nerves through a lot of tight games in that first set?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, definitely. I thought the court helped me out at times. I thought he slipped on a few big points. But I was glad I held my nerve on some of those points. I played a good level in the first set I thought. I knew he had more level to come, and he showed that in the next few sets.

But, yeah, to win a set against Novak Djokovic on my Wimbledon debut is something I won't forget. Hopefully in years to come I can improve on that.

Q. Novak was saying you might have to work on your movement a bit to improve your game. Will you take that onboard? What else do you think you need to learn to compete with the very best in the game?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I definitely agree with Novak there. My movement definitely needs to improve. I thought he moved better than me today. That's no wonder.

I've got a lot to improve on physically, which I will do throughout the rest of the year. In the next few years, I think I'll peak with my physicality at age maybe 22. My body has changed a lot over the last few years. It's been quite tough for me.

But I look to improve my serve, my forehand. I've got a lot of holes in my game still which can still go a long way. I look to come here in the future and show my improvements.

Q. This obviously has been a great grass court season for you. What do you take from all of this when you go to play ITF tournaments and ATP challengers?

JACK DRAPER: I think the main thing is the professionalism of these guys. The way they handle themselves, the way they hold themselves day in, day out, as a sports person, I admire that about the players. I think I can learn a lot from that.

I'm still young. I've still got a lot to learn. But being in this environment and atmosphere is great exposure for me. I'm very grateful to the All England Club, the LTA, for giving me the opportunity and the wild card this week. I'm glad I was able to show some level.

As Novak showed me today, I've still got a lot to improve on. I'm glad he did because I've still got lots to come.

Q. Was there ever a moment when you won the first set and the crowd were going crazy, was there ever a point when your mind started racing and you thought you might be onto something a little bit special?

JACK DRAPER: Before the match I didn't really think about it too much, that I was playing Novak. I wanted to not be overawed. I didn't want to give him too much respect. I wanted to win the match today. I wasn't looking to put in a good performance and lose. I didn't really have that mindset. I wanted to go out and play my tennis and play really well.

Unfortunately Novak showed his class in the second, third and fourth, showed me I still got a lot to work on, why he is one of the greatest players of all time. So, yeah, lots for me to learn.

Q. Difficulties at Miami before coming back at Queen's Club, the first set in this match. How has that affected your mindset and what is your focus for the rest of the year?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I've had quite a few setbacks. I think COVID has been an incredibly difficult time for a lot of people. For the rest of the year I look to stay on court, be healthy, keep on improving. I feel like I can use this momentum and motivation to go forward. I've learnt so many things today that I can take forward with me. Main thing for me is looking forward to being on court more, staying healthy, I think I can do some good things.

Q. I liked your confidence when you were talking earlier that in years to come you'd like to face him again at Wimbledon. You've obviously taken a lot away from this experience against him. Say you played him next week, would you give him an even better game from what you've learnt today?

JACK DRAPER: I think I'd be more comfortable being on court with him. Having an experience like that, especially on Centre Court, I can't really describe that for the first time going on.

I think maybe if I played him next week, I'd be even more comfortable than I was. I didn't feel overawed. I felt like I did a good job of handling myself.

But I don't know. Novak is a great player. I look to, like I said, improve on today. But I'm sure I'll be watching him the next two weeks do some good things also.

Q. Were you nervous last night? Did you sleep okay? Were your legs wobbling a bit as you walked out?

JACK DRAPER: I tried to sleep well last night. I didn't get a great night's sleep. That's understandable. I think I care so much about tennis. To be on Centre Court Wimbledon opening up against Novak Djokovic is no easy thing to think about.

But like I said, I felt like I dealt with the occasion well. I was willing to go out there with a good mindset. Yeah, he showed his class today. Like I said, I didn't feel like I was really nervous before the match. I think it was more excitement and anticipation.

Q. What is your schedule now? Qualifying in the USA a target?

JACK DRAPER: Definitely. Think because of COVID, the lower-level tournaments, it's a bit of a roller coaster. I think it's okay at this level for the players, but the lower levels it's still quite nip-and-tuck. You don't know where you're going, what you're doing. The ranking system has changed so much. It's very difficult to climb up the rankings nowadays. Until that changes, it's always going to be very difficult.

But I think I look to maybe get out to the States, like you said, hopefully play US Open qualifying. But the main thing is to stay healthy and get on court because then I'll give myself the best chance of hopefully moving up the rankings this year.

Q. I noticed from your biography you were at Chelsea as a youngster as a footballer, 11 years old.

JACK DRAPER: I was there.

Q. Was there anybody there in your age group who is still there now, has made it really?

JACK DRAPER: I mean, I don't really remember. I was there for two weeks when I was 11. I was playing tennis at the same time. The football used to bring me some injuries that I was off the tennis court for a while with. I think in the end I decided, you know what, I need to focus more on my tennis now.

But, yeah, it was a great experience. They looked after me when I was there. I don't think I would have been a good enough football player like I am with the tennis. It was still a great experience for me being around that type of atmosphere. I have a lot of respect and admiration for all sports people. So yeah.

Q. In light of the way you performed at Queen's and Wimbledon, is the challenge for you to bring that level when you're playing in Nowheresville working on your ranking? You bring your level when you do well at those events. Different scenario, isn't it?

JACK DRAPER: Yes, it is. It's very challenging. I feel like my head is in a really good place. I really want to head up the rankings. I think it's been a tough couple years with injury, COVID. That stunted a lot of players' progress. But like I said, the main thing is to stay healthy. If I can do that, I'm good enough to climb the rankings.