Draper: "I knew I was good on clay courts and this week I proved it"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 4 May 2025 | 23.00

Draper: "I knew I was good on clay courts and I have proven it this week". Photo: Getty Images

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Jack Draper came very close to claiming his second Masters 1000 title of the season, but Casper Ruud showed more composure and experience in the final moments to secure the Mutua Madrid Open title (7-5, 3-6, 6-4). Nevertheless, there is very little to criticize the British player for in these two weeks, where he has displayed an exceptionally high level of tennis that has surprised everyone, especially considering that clay is the surface where he struggles the most. However, the new world number five stated in a press conference that he was aware he could achieve great things on clay and is confident to continue playing at this level to bring more joy.

The difference for Ruud to claim the title

"I think there were a couple of moments where his level dropped, but only with a couple of double faults he made. Whereas I had mine drop in a few phases of the match, and that was the difference. You can't do that, especially at this level against players of that caliber, especially on clay."

Satisfied with his clay level

"I knew I was good on clay, and this week I've shown it. Last year, I had a couple of very close defeats, and I needed to make a mark somewhere to prove that I can compete at a really high level on this surface. This week I've shown it, to myself and to others. I think the most positive thing I take is that I'm still learning to move and play on this surface, and I'm there."

"I'm competing with the best clay-court players, the best in the world on this surface. That encourages me a lot, and I hope to continue like this next week in Rome and in Paris. And I think that also gives me a lot of confidence when competing on a slightly faster surface, which I prefer, to think: 'Wow, I'm doing this on clay, what can I do on other surfaces?'"

Despite being the world number five, he doesn't feel like a favorite

"In my opinion, there are so many incredible players at this level in the past year or so. No matter what position I'm in, if I'm sixth in the world this week or if I'm in position 30 or 20, I still think there are many chances to lose the match or win it because the margins are very small, like today. I definitely have a lot of confidence that I can trouble anyone and be a threat to anyone. But I also know there are many great players, as I've already said, who are gunning for me. So, I don't feel like a favorite. I think we're at the same level, and when we compete, we start from zero, and the better player wins that day."

Proud of the performance shown so far

"Losing hurts a lot. But at the same time, I think I've enjoyed a lot of success here, I've overcome many games, and maybe this defeat and the fact that I've reached a final and haven't crossed the finish line may help me fuel my fire a bit more that I can, that I have to keep pushing, that I have to keep improving. I'm very proud of my performance in the early months of the season. I think the most exciting part is that I still have a lot to do. I think there are still aspects of my game where I can improve a lot, and that motivates me a lot, my coach, and my team because I feel like I'm at the beginning of my journey. So, I'm going to keep improving and striving, and I'm going to keep these tough moments in mind to keep driving myself to be better."

Boost in his clay level

"I think my game is constantly improving. I was very disappointed in Monte-Carlo. I played a very good first round, and then in the second, my movements were very poor. I felt very stuck on the surface, like taking one step forward and two steps back. But coming here, I felt very good on the court. I'm learning to slide better with the ball. I suppose I'm very proud of my mindset about clay."

Little clay tradition in the UK

"Maybe Andy Murray feels the same because he has also done very well on clay. But it's easy for someone from, let's say, the UK, who doesn't play much on this surface, to think, 'Oh, I'm not good at this. I'm not going to be good.' I know it's going to be a challenge for me, but I'm going to push myself to do well and find ways to be effective. I'm proud of how I've faced it, and I believe with that mindset, you can go a long way. So, I'm very proud of it."

Without any expectations before each tournament

"I don't really set many goals. I say it doesn't surprise me because I know how much I've worked to get to this point, many adversities, many ups and downs, and I feel I deserve it because I'm making sacrifices and working hard every day to be the best player I can be. I go into each week not knowing how it's going to go, but it seems that so far it's going well, and I think a lot of that has to do with my preparation. I feel good about the matches. I think injuries and certain things have prevented me from competing at the highest level, but I think now I feel good knowing that I'm more prepared and I belong to the elite. I'm going to keep improving and going for more with the confidence and conviction that I can now go far in these tournaments."

Aspects to improve in his tennis

"I feel much more comfortable moving on hard courts and those kinds of things. I think my movements on clay could be better. I think my serve could be better, the accuracy in my serve. I am 1.90 meters tall, and it's a weapon, but I think it could be improved. I think my defense and my attack, the mix of all that has improved a lot, but I think I have many opportunities to come to the net. I don't take advantage of it enough; I have to keep advancing more to finish points and put more pressure on my opponents. I also think mentally, the more I'm exposed to these big matches and key moments, the better I'll get."

"Physically, I'm also learning. In the past, I've had problems with injuries and haven't lasted as long as I wanted, but that's also improving. But again, I'm not anywhere near where I want to be, so I think, yes, there are a lot of things that are going to keep improving, and I'm going to keep improving more and more. I believe in that," confesses Jack Draper who, despite his defeat, has shown that his name is going to resonate strongly in every tournament.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Draper: "Yo sabía que era bueno en tierra batida y esta semana lo he demostrado"