“Looked like 10 rounds with Mike Tyson”: Mark Petchey praises Jack Draper’s French Open performance but demands one change

Tennis coach Mark Petchey has highlighted one thing that Britain’s Jack Draper should bring to his game after suffering a surprising defeat at the French Open. The 23-year-old, who is already regarded as one of the most talented players in the world in the men’s singles category, suffered a surprising defeat in the fourth round of the Frech Open on Monday to Alexander Bublik with a score of 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

The defeat was a shocking one to some extent because Draper was identified as one of the favourites to go all the way and battle it out to secure the ultimate prize. Tennis coach Petchey, who is currently working with TNT Sports, highlighted where the reigning world number five must improve if he wants to win major events in the near future.

Petchey was of the opinion that while Draper has been phenomenal with his backhand, he must improve his drop shot, which is where he has lacked on big occasions, something he needs to work on in the near future.

"Amazing performance," said Petchey. "He looked like he'd been about 10 rounds with Mike Tyson there. That's how it feels to go against Jack. When you bring a very versatile game to a clay court with a serve like that, you can do untold damage. That guy, he wasn't even disturbing the top of my souffle the way those things were bouncing. Bublik's touch from behind the baseline was extraordinary. From Jack's point of view, that's going to feel like a bit of a bail-out shot, the way he's been playing at the moment, because he's been dominating opponents with his forehand so well. Going to a drop shot from that far behind the baseline isn't his natural DNA out there but it is for Bublik, and credit to him. Maybe Jack is going to walk off that court thinking he is going to have to explore that avenue."