“He’s got the weapons”: Daria Saville backs Jack Draper as the next to join Alcaraz and Sinner

Daria Saville’s latest appearance on the Australian Open Tennis Podcast delivered some of her most insightful commentary yet, weaving together her own injury experiences with sharp observations about Holger Rune and Jack Draper. She reacted with surprise when discussing Rune’s intensity, admitting she was “a bit like wow” after seeing the young Dane’s mindset following injury. Saville’s perspective carries weight, shaped by countless rehab cycles she has endured throughout her career.

Her reflections on burnout were especially pointed. As she explained, “You have been injured before and he is going to get a bit of burnout if he keeps going,” adding that she still believes Rune is “literally built different.” Her concern comes from lived experience: the psychological toll of long months in the gym and the emotional grind of trying to return quickly. She noted how early motivation fades, something she said many athletes confess privately.

Saville described the post-surgery rush in a way that resonates far beyond tennis. She recalled telling friends how players feel “so motivated after the surgery and in the gym,” but after a week realize the reality—“I have got to do this for nine months.” It’s this emotional cliff, she warned, that Rune may eventually face despite his unusual drive. She emphasized the importance of maintaining balance, saying athletes “almost have to find something outside of tennis to fulfil your days.”

When the conversation shifted to Jack Draper, Saville spoke with admiration for his tools and trajectory. She didn’t hesitate when picking him as a future star: “I’m going to go with Jack Draper,” she said confidently. She pointed to his big serve, lefty advantage and baseline solidity—qualities she believes could allow him to join Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the top. For Saville, the only missing piece is continuity: “He needs a full season on the court and to get his body right.”

Rune’s 2025 season ended abruptly with a complete rupture of his Achilles tendon during the Stockholm semifinals. He left the court at 2–2 in the second set against Ugo Humbert and later confirmed on Instagram the extent of the damage: a fully torn proximal Achilles requiring surgery. He admitted recovery “is going to take a long time” and wrote that it was “insoportable” to accept the sudden shutdown after enjoying a strong run of form.

Saville sees both the brilliance and the danger in Rune’s mentality. She noted that he believes he can improve “every day and every second,” an intensity she admires but also fears could push him too far. To her, Rune’s challenge will be learning how to channel that fierce drive without letting it consume him—especially through a long, monotonous rehab process that can break even the toughest competitors.

Draper’s season, meanwhile, showcased the kind of firepower Saville believes can define the sport’s next era. He finished 2025 as world No. 10, after spending months inside the top 5 and capturing the Indian Wells title. He also reached the finals in Madrid and Doha before undergoing surgery following his surprise second-round Wimbledon loss to Marin Cilic. His year ended with a 30–9 record and more than $3.4 million in prize money.

Despite the midseason setback, Draper’s ceiling remains high. Saville highlighted how he already has “the weapons to join Alcaraz and Sinner,” she said. "He needs a full season on the court and to get his body right". His next challenges include the UTS Finals in London and the United Cup in Australia, where he will team with Emma Raducanu. If his body holds up, Saville believes Draper could be one of the defining players of the 2026 campaign.