“I think all these matches are good for me, just learning more. I’m definitely gaining more experience as a player. Even a match like today, I can draw more from it,” said Jack Draper after bowing out in the second round of last year’s Madrid Open with a 6-1, 7-5 defeat to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. Fast forward to this year, and Draper flipped the script, storming into the final in a remarkable turnaround. Though he fell just short against Norway’s Casper Ruud, the loss illuminated something deeper for the 23-year-old! Following heartbreak, Draper shared a poignant moment with his mom and brother post-match, offering a raw, honest take.

Draper’s quest for a maiden ATP Tour clay-court title fell just short, as fans watched the 23-year-old battle valiantly in a gripping final at the Spanish capital. Ultimately, it was Norway’s Casper Ruud who edged the Brit in a tightly contested 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory. Draper, the current British top seed, has been widely seen as a rising star, with none other than Andy Murray backing him as a future world number one. That prediction came after Draper lifted his first ATP title on the Stuttgart grass courts, cementing his place atop British men’s tennis.

Despite early career setbacks because of injury, Draper has pushed through with determination and impressive form. His grit was on full display in January at the AO, where he secured 3 consecutive five-set victories. However, after the Madrid final, Draper underscored tennis’s often brutal emotional toll.

During the post-match trophy presentation in Madrid, the British ace took a moment to commend his opponent, Casper Ruud, after a gripping final. The British No. 1 showed class and humility as he praised Ruud for his breakthrough performance. “First I just wanna congratulate Casper. First Masters title for you. I think you really deserve this. The way you played today, you were braver than me in the key moments. You deserve this. You put in so much hard work, had constantly very good years on the tour. So just wanna congratulate you and the rest of your team for all the hard work,” Draper said, acknowledging the Norwegian’s consistency and composure.

He also offered a heartfelt tribute to his inner circle, especially his family, while reflecting on the emotional toll of the sport. In a moment of raw honesty, he shared, “This loss hurts but I wanna also thank my team… my mom, my brother. Thank you for all the support. This sport is brutal but I think this loss is gonna make me better. I’ll keep trying,” he added, striking a chord with fans and fellow athletes alike by revealing the often unseen sacrifices behind the scenes.

Heading into the Madrid Open, the 23-year-old had little success to show on clay. His most notable achievements on the surface were a pair of QF appearances at smaller ATP 250 events. He had never strung together three consecutive ATP wins on clay, nor had he defeated a top-30 player. 

And while reflecting with raw honesty about the challenges of clay courts, the Brit also shared how proud he was of the resilient mindset he carried throughout his Madrid campaign.

Jack Draper gasped with pride as he ended his Madrid Open campaign with a runner-up spot

The Madrid Open final began with Jack Draper gaining early momentum in the match, breaking Casper Ruud’s serve for a 2-1 lead in the first set. However, the Norwegian responded swiftly, clawing back to level at 5-5 before capitalizing on a miss-hit Draper forehand to claim the opener. Draper bounced back impressively in the second set, producing near-flawless tennis with just one unforced error and breaking Ruud 2 times to force a deciding set.

The third set was a tense affair, with both players displaying grit and resilience. Ruud found a breakthrough in the 5th game and held on to consolidate for a 4-2 lead. Despite a late push from Draper and moments of brilliance, Ruud closed out the match on his first championship point, clinching his maiden Masters 1000 title. While Draper missed out on the crown, he showed remarkable composure and growth on clay, a surface he’s long been looking to conquer.

“I suppose just very proud of the way my mindset is on the clay,” the Brit said. “Maybe Andy [Murray] was the same, because he’s done, obviously, so well on the clay courts as well. But it’s easy from someone from, say, the UK who doesn’t play much on the surface to think, ‘Oh, I’m not great on this. I’m not going to be any good.”

He later declared his commitment to overcoming the challenges of clay courts and to improving his overall game. “Whereas I know that it’s going to be a challenge for me, but I’m going to give it my best effort to do well on it and find ways to be effective. I’m proud of the way I’ve approached that, and I think with that mindset, you can go a long way,” Draper continued.

Now, both players set their sights on the Italian Masters 1000, the last stop before the grand stage in Paris. Given Draper’s rising form and mental fortitude, could a deep run in Rome on the cards for the Brit? Share your thoughts in the comments below.