"Top 10, for sure" – Tim Henman on Jack Draper's potential and injury struggles

Since Sir Andy Murray's retirement, British fans have been eager to see a new top contender emerge on the professional circuit. Their best hope lies in Jack Draper, a young talent who has shown he can compete with the best on the biggest stages.

However, he has been battling injuries, which have slowed his progress. Tennis analyst Tim Henman recently shared his thoughts on Draper’s potential and physical struggles.

Jack Draper

Draper is a rising star in today’s game, making an impact since his 2018 debut. He has steadily climbed the ATP rankings and will have ambitions to reach even higher. Draper has already secured titles, most notably his Vienna Open victory.

In 2025, he had a solid run at the Australian Open, showcasing his talent. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the tournament due to a hip injury. After the match, Draper spoke about the injury.

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"I have been unbelievably surprised with how much I have been able to play and put my body through, more than I have ever done before," Draper said, reflecting on his resilience.

"It's just one of those things, massive overload. In this area of my body, if I don't get that right and I don't make good decisions, I don't want to miss three or four months because of that.

"From the third game, I felt like it was getting worse. I woke up this morning and didn’t feel too bad. When I got out there and Carlos’ intensity – I’m someone who throws my body around and gives it my all.

"From the third game, I felt like I had multiple areas in pain, especially the hip.

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"I didn’t feel amazing before my last match, but obviously got out there, and it felt OK. Maybe it’s a bit of a ticking time bomb, considering I had no preparation and no work for my body.

"I have come, played a ridiculous amount of tennis, and broken down."

Tim Henman’s take

Tim Henman

Sky Sports pundit Tim Henman discussed Draper's impressive Australian Open performance and how he has handled his physical struggles.

"I think his performance in Australia was so good for him mentally," said Henman.

"He missed some of the off-season but came through three five-set matches, which was a step forward.

"Twelve months ago, you saw him winning a fairly straightforward five-set match and vomiting on the court. That, to me, is 99 per cent mental.

"He puts in so much work on the practice court, and I’ve seen him working so hard in training and at the gym.

"So to come through three five-setters when he was not in the best shape of his life was massive for him.

"That will give him so much belief that he can play the long matches.

"When you first play five-set matches and lose a tough first set, I promise you it feels like a long way to the winning line.

"You are only a set down, but you still have to win three, and wow, it feels like a long way off.

"When you have been through the process a few times, you start to understand how to deal with it mentally, which massively helps the body respond better to the challenge.

"For him to get through to the fourth round in those circumstances was brilliant, and he is just scratching the surface of his career.

"He’s not had a full season and has always had setbacks, but the way he is training and the team he has around him, that won’t happen as much."

When asked where Draper could be ranked at the end of the year, Henman made a bold prediction.

"Top 10, for sure," he added. "Can he qualify for the ATP Finals at the end of the year? Why not. He’s an outsider, maybe, but that’s the conversation around Jack now.

"It’s all about Jack maximising his potential. How good he is going to be, we don’t know, but we won’t have long to find out."

Draper is one of Britain's most promising players, and it will be fascinating to see what the future holds for him.

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