Reaching a career-high ranking of No. 15 in 2024, Jack Draper’s ascent in tennis is one you can’t overlook. Despite facing injuries and illness, including famously collapsing at the 2021 Miami Open and vomiting during the 2024 US Open semi-finals, these challenges haven’t overshadowed his achievements. Draper has become the No. 1 British player on the ATP Tour since turning pro in 2018. So, who’s the mastermind behind this success?

His coach, James Trotman, has been pivotal to his growth since late 2021. Born in 1979, Trotman was once a promising junior player, winning the Wimbledon boys’ doubles in 1995 and the Australian Open boys’ doubles in 1997. Unfortunately, injuries cut his professional career short. Transitioning to coaching, he worked with players like Anne Keothavong and Kyle Edmund before taking on Draper. Known for his clear tactical advice, Trotman described watching Draper as a junior as “an emotional roller-coaster” – perhaps reminding him of his own past. But under his guidance, Draper has flourished.

Trotman has not only refined Draper’s game but also influenced his lifestyle by introducing changes to improve focus and stamina. “My coach banned me from caffeine to improve my lifestyle and performance,” Draper shared. Since teaming up with Trotman, Draper ended 2021 ranked 262 and quickly climbed the ranks, winning four ATP Challenger titles in early 2022 and defeating Lorenzo Sonego at the Madrid Masters. But Trotman’s influence extends beyond mere technical improvements; he encourages sustainable, long-term changes that enhance Draper’s abilities on court.

But the Briton’s journey has been far from straightforward. In 2023, he was sidelined with a shoulder injury at the French Open—a setback that by then had become all too familiar. “I was injured all over my body. I had shoulder problems, hip problems. My body was just made of glass at that point,” Draper said, reflecting on that tough period. However, reuniting with his old fitness coach, Steve Kotze, marked a turning point for him. “Having to miss out on the grass really hurt, but at the same time, I was nowhere near ready,” he admitted.

Draper now has physio Will Herbert and fitness trainer Kotze alongside Trotman after recently splitting with former world No. 6 Wayne Ferreira in August 2024. The Brit appreciates this unity: “Everyone wants the best for me and everyone wants to do their job for me, and that’s hard to find in professional sport because there are a lot of people out there for themselves.” In a remarkable turn of events, the freshly consolidated partnership helped him reach the SF at the 2024 US Open against Jannik Sinner.

After Draper’s impressive quarter-final win at the 2024 US Open, coach Trotman reflected on his physical journey: “Jack has played some really high-level tennis matches in the past but physically it’s been a struggle. He’s a big boy; he’s got a big body; it takes time to grow into that.” And as evidenced by his AO 2025 run, with such a dedicated support system, Draper is poised to tackle the challenges ahead on the ATP Tour.

Jack Draper’s consistent rise at the 2025 Australian Open

Currently ranked No. 18, he started his campaign with a gritty comeback against Mariano Navone, winning a grueling four-setter 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in just over four hours. He then faced Thanasi Kokkinakis, saving himself from near-defeat as Kokkinakis served for the match. Draper rallied back to secure a thrilling 6-7(3), 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory in four hours and 35 minutes—the longest match of his career. Two days later, he again triumphed over local favorite Aleksandar Vukic in another epic battle, winning 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(10-8).

Now he faces world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in a highly anticipated fourth-round clash. The two last met at the 2024 cinch Championships, where Draper became the only player to defeat Alcaraz on grass in two years. With momentum on his side and a hat-trick of comebacks behind him, Draper is eager to continue his incredible run at Melbourne Park. He aims to reach the Melbourne quarter-finals for the first time, while the four-time Grand Slam champion seeks to complete his quest for the ‘Career Slam.’ This sets up a highly anticipated clash between the two players.

But the odds seemed stacked against him already. Draper expressed disappointment over his afternoon match slot at 3:30 PM local time, which offers him less recovery time – something that the injury-prone player could have done with after three physically demanding rounds. And with temperatures expected to climb to 31 degrees Celsius, the 23-year-old knows he must be aggressive: “I need to take my chances. Against the top players, you get less and less chances.” As the British No. 1 heading into 2025, he credits his core team for his progress. With their support, can Draper finally break through against Alcaraz? Or will he find himself grasping at straws against the strapping Alcaraz? We’ll know in a bit, so stay tuned for more coverage!