THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 30, 2022

Jack Draper

Press Conference

A. de MINAUR/J. Draper

5-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Jack, your initial thoughts on today's match.

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, high-level match. I thought Alex played incredibly well. Definitely, definitely tough out there. I think I can take a lot of positives. There's also a lot of things I need to improve and keep working, developing.

But overall, yeah, too good from Alex.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What kind of lessons? What are the biggest things you take out of that match in terms of, If I want to be at that level, I need to do this?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I think in terms of my tennis, it's obviously trying to hit my spots on my serve. I think my forehand needs a lot of work still. But I think the main thing is the physicality. Grand Slam tennis is completely different. This is one of my first experiences. I'm here on merit in the main draw. Also playing against a guy who is known for being unbelievably resilient. It's a really good challenge for me.

I think I do need these types of lessons to really grow. I think hopefully as I get more experiences like these, it's going to help me in the future to push on in these types of tournaments.

Q. You seemed to be struggling. First two sets were tight. He pulled away. Andy at the start of his career struggled physically. Look at the player he became. You can learn from it and reach the highest standard, isn't it?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, it's not rocket science. Guys at the start of their career, it's a natural progression. It takes time to be physically better and physically able to come to the Grand Slams and compete for long matches back to back. It's just the process that I'm on.

I think over the years, for instance, next year I'll be a different player again because physically I will have improved. Hopefully I will have stayed injury-free. Obviously I've got a lot to work on. That's not such a bad thing. It's just going to take a bit of time.

Q. The standard you had in the first two sets is a sign of the player you can become.

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, of course. I've had a great year so far. My ranking is going in the right direction. I hope that over the last few weeks I've shown that I can really compete at the highest level.

It's a grass court. But I felt like in Madrid as well against Sonego and Rublev, I've shown that as well. Gives me a lot of confidence.

Yeah, like I said, I think it's just thinking logically, it's a progression. Hopefully I'll keep on improving.

Q. The first two sets were high level, tight. Getting into the second set tiebreak, a tough moment to be swept. Was there a mental switch there? The physicality drained off from there?

JACK DRAPER: I mean, I definitely felt like towards the end of the second I was hanging on a little bit. I felt like it was a tough challenge out there because obviously with the roof closed, I thought maybe it would be quicker and I'd get more free points. But it actually was slower because it was colder in there.

Playing someone like Alex in there was unbelievably difficult because I couldn't really hit through him. It was taking a lot out of me having to play long points. And also when I came forward, it was tough because he had a target because the court wasn't that fast.

But, yeah, obviously in the second set tiebreak, it got away from me. I think he came out really strong in the third. I didn't feel like I had necessarily fallen off at that point, it was just that he was just quite relentless. I think it was clear to see that, yeah, physically I was starting to lose it a little bit from there.

Q. What do you do after this? Do you study tapes and videos of the match or do you feel you learnt enough out there?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I mean, I will watch a bit back. I won't watch it all. I'll speak to my coach. Even now, like I know loads of things that need to get better in order for me to become a better player.

Obviously the physicality, the mentality, that's just something that will keep on improving, that I'll have to improve. But the tennis, yeah, there's a few things in my head right now. All these things I've got a lot to work from still. I guess it's a positive in a way that I do.

Q. (Question about the loudness of the crowd and how he dealt with the atmosphere.)

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I've had a few experiences of it so far in my early career. I played on that court in the junior final. Played Djokovic on Centre last year. People ask me if you feel pressure with that. No, it's a real privilege for me as a young Brit to come here and receive that sort of support. I've been lucky to have it the last few weeks in Queen's and Eastbourne, something I really thrive on.

In terms of staying calm, it's just something where it's a fine line between trying to get yourself going for the match and trying to stay in it, also at the same time trying to preserve some energy to keep going.

Again, I think as I get physically better, I'll be able to manage that a little bit more as well.

Q. What's next for you? How much are you looking forward to experiencing the other Grand Slams now?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I think I'm going to have a few days off. I haven't had a rest in a while. Even coming off the back of Eastbourne, it was quite tough. I had like one day and then we're into this tournament.

I think I have a bit of time off, then I'll look to go to America and try to start playing on the tour more, make that jump. I think my ranking is in a bit of a spot right now where I'll maybe be in the ATP qualifying, stuff like that.

I'm looking forward to getting out there and keep on improving and just trying to compete at the highest level more.

Q. At the US Open you'll be ranked high enough.

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I think so. I think I'd be unlucky not to get in. I think the last tournament is Newport. I'm not going to go to Newport, so we'll see how guys do with the rankings. I'm pretty sure I'll get in the US Open.

Yeah, look, it will just be another opportunity to try and prove myself and see where I'm at. That's the thing, I just got to keep on improving, keep learning. I think I have the mentality to do that. I want to be a top player so...