Is Jack Draper the new Rafa? Well, they both are left-handed and have “loopy forehands.” Recently, his stunning performances on the clay courts of the Madrid Open have brought back memories of the ‘King of Clay’ for many. Draper has risen to his career-high ranking of number 6 after his recent triumph at the Indian Wells Masters.

The 23-year-old Brit is now also the highest-ranked left-handed player on the ATP Tour, and guess what? Only Rafael Nadal has been ranked higher amongst the left-handers in the 21st century! Just a few weeks ago, when this comparison popped up after this incredible win at Indian Wells, Draper said, “Being compared to Rafa is not right, to be honest. He’s obviously an icon of the game and a 14-time Roland-Garros [winner], it’s nuts.” What was his reaction this time, though?

The British number one thrashed America’s Tommy Paul by 6-2,6-2 in the R16 of the 2025 Madrid Open. Looking at his confidence and jaw-dropping display of talent and wit on clay, tennis analyst Annabel Croft drew a comparison of him with Nadal. After hearing these bold claims, Jack Draper made a joke out of it, saying, “I mean I haven’t won 14 Roland-Garros [titles] just yet! Rafa is obviously someone, being a lefty, that I looked up to when I was younger. I don’t sort of compare myself to him, but I’d like to think that I want to have qualities like Rafa. Whether that’s attitude or his forehand with the shape. There’s certain things I can take from him for sure, but not quite his level yet on the clay.” 

Jack Draper has always been a big admirer of Rafa. But what are the key things that he wants to copy from Rafael Nadal? Replying to this question, Draper claimed, “For me, it has just been the movement.” British players usually don’t play as much on clay as he does, and highlighting all these, he further added that he doesn’t want to get caught in the mindset that’s “not our best surface“. Instead, he wants to be equally efficient in all courts to become a top player in the world. 

Draper said, “I didn’t grow up on the surface, playing lots, like a lot of these players from South America or Spain or somewhere like that. It is kind of learning tactically what shots to play at certain times. I think that just comes with more competition, more matches, more exposure to playing these top players in the world, and getting a better understanding of how I can be the best I can be. I think looking for the forehand and looking for my weapons is something that I have seen Rafa do since I was young, looking for that forehand. I am improving all the time and it is a good challenge for me.“

Has he ever played against Nadal, though? Well, yes, he did get the chance to play against him at the 2023 AO. Rafael Nadal had then defeated him by 7-5,2-6,6-4,6-1. But despite this loss, Draper managed to earn some praise from the tennis legend. Before this match, Nadal shared some kind words for the youngster.

“It’s a big challenge for me at the beginning to start the tournament. He’s young, powerful, growing very, very fast on the rankings, playing well. I’m here to just give myself a chance. I know he’s playing well. He has a lot of positive things, and probably a great career in front,” Nadal said about Draper before their 1st round match at the 2023 AO. 

Now, after drawing a comparison with Rafael Nadal following an impressive performance in the R16, Draper has a good chance of overtaking the lone active member of the ‘Big 3’. What did he say after his win against Paul, though?

Jack Draper is inches closer to replacing Novak Djokovic in the Top 5 world rankings

Novak Djokovic has been having a tough time at the moment. He hasn’t won a title since the Paris Olympics, which took place in the summer of last year. Recently, after his early exit from the Madrid Open, he has also pulled out of the Italian Open. Jack Draper, who’s currently ranked sixth in the world, will take on Matteo Arnaldi in the QF on Thursday, and if he wins this match, he’ll overtake the Serb in the live rankings and enter the Top 5 for the very first time in his career.

Last year, he was defeated in the first round of the French Open, but this year his performances on the clay could well boost his confidence ahead of the 2025 Roland Garros. How optimistic is he with his chances on clay this season? “I just think I know that it’s just been a matter of time until I do something good on the clay. When I was younger, I always felt good on the surface. It’s a bit of a different level now, obviously. It feels good to try and keep on proving to myself and everyone else that I’m a good player on this surface and that I’m dangerous.“

Talking about his win against Tommy Paul, he added, “Obviously a win today, in that kind of way, against someone who is ranked No. 12 in the World is a big thing for me. I’m just happy with the way I’m approaching the matches and my training and everything.” He also said, “I knew Tommy is a great player and I had to be on him from the off so I felt good.”

With the form Jack Draper has been on clay this season, do you think he can win yet another title in the next few weeks? Share your thoughts in the comment box.