Jack Draper is back... inspired by Djokovic: "I aspire to be someone like him"

Carlos Navarro | 23 Feb 2026 | 16.59

Jack Draper is back... and it hasn't been easy for him. Source: Getty

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Jack Draper is back. We were eager to say these words and see the British player, one of those names marked to make life harder for Alcaraz and Sinner, in action on a tennis court. We had to wait more than six months, quite a long time, for the Englishman's name to reappear in a final draw: he appears in the ATP Dubai 2026, his first event after the last US Open, ensuring that his left arm injury allows him to play without risking his health.

The process Jack has gone through has been very, very long. His injury, a bone bruise in his dominant arm, has been, according to him, "very complex". Recovery times that changed over time, persistent pain... and the dreadful feeling of watching from the couch as colleagues of his generation, rivals he had beaten before, surpassed him in the rankings and reached heights he had dreamed of.

Nevertheless, the British player's decline has not been excessive: he returns to the courts ranked #14 in the ATP rankings, although the biggest challenge ahead will be defending the champion points from the Indian Wells Masters 1000. Long before that event arrives, and after a low-demand Davis Cup match, Jack opened up about his return in a chat with The National, expressing his happiness to debut in Dubai and reflecting on how his life has changed in recent months.

"I have never played this tournament, but I feel very comfortable here, I know there are many Britons who love Dubai. Being back at a circuit event motivates me and makes me very happy, on a personal level: I just want to compete again. Honestly, mentally the process has not been easy: you go from running at 100 miles per hour, achieving goals, with a constant adrenaline rush... to a sort of normality, almost normality, but where life moves at a much slower pace.

It had been a long time since I was out for so many months, so I took advantage of that time. I tried to be grateful for the time spent with my family, at home, but at the same time, everything revolved around getting back on the court soon, so I am happy," said Draper candidly, who will debut in the Emirates against the French player Quentin Halys.

Draper points out why this injury has been so difficult to digest and speaks of the inspiration he draws from Novak Djokovic's figure

As we mentioned at the beginning, the bone edema Jack has undergone has been a test of his patience, competitiveness, and mental health. He explains the reasons why this particular injury has been so complex to manage: "The most challenging aspect of this injury is that there is no right answer to its processes. It's not a torn abdominal muscle, for example, where you know that in two or three weeks you will be fine.

This is something that requires months, months, and months, and you never know when you will be 100%. It's hard, therefore, to stay positive and look ahead. Many people have approached me to help because there will be days when you're not feeling well. You have to use those ups and downs as fuel to make you stronger. I want to think that being young, I have a long career ahead of me, so it's important not to rush this process."

In a way, the attitude Jack has faced this injury with is very similar to the approach taken by Arthur Fils regarding his back issues. Both decided to skip the Australian Open after seasons in which they emerged and showed they are part of the circuit elite, prioritizing the long term and the youth of their careers over the anxiety of returning to competition. It seems things are going well for the French player... and the time off the courts seems to have taught Jack some valuable lessons: "My off-court habits have changed a bit. I try to sleep more and recover better. I understand the value of my body much more. I've learned not to go crazy and work tirelessly all the time: this is a marathon, not a sprint." A learning experience, undoubtedly of great value.

To learn and evolve as a player, the British player also looks up to significant figures in his sport. Perhaps few with greater influence than Novak Djokovic, the one who welcomed him to the big leagues back in 2021, at his Wimbledon debut (he took a set from him). Watching Djokovic compete in Australia seems to have ignited an inner spark in Jack: "For me, he is the greatest of all time. Nothing he achieves can surprise me. He is an example of longevity and greatness. The fact that he has won 10 times in Australia and reached the final, aiming for the 11th... is inspiring for me. He is an inspiration, someone I aspire to be."

With that memory in mind and also with a new coach, Jamie Delgado, former coach of Murray and Dimitrov, Draper returns to the circuit. With excitement, motivation... but a slightly cautious tone after many months out of action. "I am still at the end of the recovery process. Do I believe I am healthy enough to play week after week? Absolutely." Let's hope his prediction comes true, starting with his challenge this week.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jack Draper está de vuelta... inspirado por Djokovic: "Aspiro a ser alguien como él"