Jack Draper admits he is still getting used to the physical and medical side of tennis after receiving a code violation for racket abuse during his third round match at the Italian Open.
The British No.1 defeated Vit Kopriva 6-4, 6-3, to claim his 100th Tour-level victory. Joining Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Kyle Edmund as the only active British male players to reach this milestone. Draper had 13 break point chances against Kopriva and converted three of those. However, he struggled at times to maintain his momentum on the court, which resulted in his 21 winners being overshadowed by 37 unforced errors.
“It was a tough match against a guy who is a bit unknown but he’s won a lot of matches here (in Rome) and he’s feeling good,” Draper told Sky Sports Tennis.
“I felt a little bit low in energy. My feet weren’t working as well as I wanted them to. But I tried to fight hard and find a way.
“The frustration boiled out a little bit too much in the end.”
Draper’s emotions got the better of him five games into the second set when he failed to convert four break point chances against his Czech rival, who held. Unexpectedly, he smashed his racket out of anger, which caused a couple of visible holes in the middle of the clay court. At the time of his outburst, Draper had already broken Kpriva at the start of the set.
Asked about the incident, the 23-year-old spoke frankly about his struggles on the Tour and trying to maintain a certain standard every day. Coming into Rome, he reached the final of the Madrid Masters before losing to Casper Ruud. Earlier this season, he won the biggest title of his career so far in Indian Wells.
“I’m human, we don’t always wake up out of bed feeling great.” He said.
“I feel so angry some days, and I’ve got to play a tennis match. I’ve got to lose points, and I’ve got to go through that. Emotional ups and downs, even with that going on.
“I played a lot of matches and I’m getting used to that.
“I’m in a new position now. My ranking is going up and I’m getting to compete week in, week out.
“It’s taken some getting used to for me from a mental and physical side. I want to keep going, but it’s sometimes difficult to always be perfect.”
Draper didn’t elaborate on why he wakes up sometimes with feelings of anger. However, he has previously spoken about doubting his ability every day despite his rapid rise in the sport. This time last year, he was ranked 43rd in the world. Now, he is in a position where he can secure a top-four seeding for the French Open if he reaches the semi-finals in Rome.
“I think a lot of that’s just getting to play more matches and more confidence,” Draper said of his physical development compared to a year ago.
“I had a good run last week (in Madrid) and the more I’m playing, the more comfortable (I feel on the court).
“Everyone’s difficult (on the Tour). I give everyone respect. I just come out here and play my tennis.”
Draper will play Corentin Moutet in the fourth round, who outlasted Holger Rune 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(4), after three hours and 45 minutes. Making it the second-longest best-of-three match played at the tournament since 1991.
