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The 21-year-old Briton Jack Draper finished the season ranked 61st, losing 20 places in comparison to the end of 2022. Draper could not stay injury-free, missing two and a half months during the summer and skipping Wimbledon due to shoulder issues.
The young Briton played well in the season's closing stages, hoping for more in 2024. On the other hand, three rivals from his age group settled in the year-end top-8, with Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune enjoying fine seasons.
Draper expressed mixed emotions while speaking about his colleagues, praising them but feeling frustrated after being unable to follow their pace. Jack hopes to enjoy an injury-free run in the upcoming years and crack the top-20 or top-10, feeling he belongs there.
The Briton is not thinking about Major titles, admitting he must work hard to get in that position. Draper reached the Montreal quarter-final as a qualifier and scored three wins at the US Open. Jack played well at indoor events in the season's closing stages, lifting the Bergamo Challenger trophy and reaching his first ATP final in Sofia, falling to Adrian Mannarino in three sets.
Jack Draper draws insipiration from Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune.
"There are two sides to the story. I'm happy for Alcaraz, Sinner and Rune. They are great young players, and I understand you must put into the sport to achieve what they have at an early age.
I respect and admire what they have been doing. On the other hand, I missed Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury, so I stayed at home and watched Alcaraz battling against Novak Djokovic. It was frustrating to see a young player achieving amazing things because of the competitor in me.
Some people may say he is lucky to find himself in that position, but I understand how hard he had to work for many years to get there. I can take a lot of inspiration and learn from Alcaraz, Sinner and Rune; it fuels my fire to join them at the top.
If I stay injury-free in the upcoming years, I will do my best to follow their pace and challenge them. Many excellent players are without a Major title; I can not look that far ahead. I have to set my goals and work hard on a day-to-day basis to achieve my visions.
My main goal is to fulfill my potential and reach the top-10 or top-20. After that, I will set my eyes on higher goals and chase Major titles," Jack Draper said.