“We’re building something that could win him a Grand Slam”: Jack Draper’s coach outlines long-term vision

Jack Draper’s coach Jamie Delgado believes his player can be the next player capable of breaking through for a Grand Slam title outside the current Carlos Alcaraz–Jannik Sinner duopoly. Speaking this week, Draper’s new coach made it clear that the British No. 1 belongs in that conversation.

Draper returned to competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, defeating Quentin Halys 7-6, 6-3 before falling in the second round to Arthur Rinderknech 5-7, 7-6, 4-6. The result reflected both progress and rust as he continues rebuilding after arm issues disrupted momentum last season.

Despite the early exit, Delgado’s focus remains fixed on one objective: winning a Grand Slam. He sees a player who has already claimed ATP 250 and 500 titles, lifted a Masters 1000 trophy, and reached a major semi-final — steps that, in his view, point toward something bigger. “It could be Jack. Why not? That’s the way I’m thinking and seeing it,” Delgado told Sky Sports. “That’s the way he’s seeing it as well. You never know who it’s going to be but there’s no reason why it can’t be Jack.”

Delgado was unequivocal when assessing Draper’s ability to compete with the sport’s dominant figures. “I’m super excited. He’s one of the up-and-coming players in world tennis and one of the few guys that can challenge Jannik and Carlos at the top. He’s British as well, which for me makes it even more special. He’s a great player, great boy and super exciting.”

The coach pointed directly to Draper’s power profile as the foundation for that belief. In his view, beating Alcaraz or Sinner requires more than consistency; it requires disruption. “I think he is close to the top. He’s beaten Carlos a couple of times now. The obvious things in his game are that he clearly has a lot of power,” the former Grigor Dimitrov coach added. “To beat those top guys you need to take the racket out of their hands."

"It’s very difficult to beat them playing cat and mouse, from the baseline or by simply outplaying them. You need shots that, on the day, are good enough to knock them off the court — and he definitely has that.”

Delgado referenced Indian Wells — a tournament Draper won in 2025 — as a blueprint for his level when fully fit. “A week like Indian Wells he can clearly serve big, he can hit the ball big from the baseline, and physically he can match them as well. He’s right there! Those guys have done it very consistently over the last few years and have got the titles to prove that but Jack’s got it in his locker to compete with these guys and push them for big titles.”

Delgado’s appointment comes during a delicate phase. Draper’s recurring arm injury affected both his ranking and match rhythm, placing added importance on strategic scheduling and physical management.

“In the short term I’m trying to help him think long-term but fully aware that he’s down on matches and his ranking is dropping so it’s tough to get that confidence in those big matches without that. But I’m looking at his game and trying to build something that could win him a Grand Slam. We’ve definitely got that vision.”

That perspective reflects Delgado’s broader coaching philosophy. He emphasised that elite partnerships extend beyond tactics. “You’re sort of managing the whole team and not just him. The physical side, the management side, the coaching side, the schedule. You’re always learning what makes him tick.

“The previous players I’ve coached, you never feel as if you know them 100 per cent. You’ve got to work at it and get to know them off the court as well because that’s really important to have them happy and have certain things off the court that will help them on the court.”

Delgado also highlighted Draper’s personality as an asset. “He’s a great boy, he’s super honest, he’s very humble. He speaks directly to you so he’s an easy person to get to know and I’ve loved it.”

Technically, Delgado sees clear areas for refinement rather than overhaul. Draper’s left-handed forehand remains his primary weapon, capable of overwhelming even top-tier opponents when timed correctly.

“His forehand is a shot when he is going for it and feeling it — there’s so much power that he can outmuscle guys on that shot. He can change direction super well, especially on a court that gives him a little bit more time when he’s got time to load up on it. When I watch it, I’m glad I’m not playing against it.”

He also addressed the backhand, calling it “rock solid” but suggesting it can become more proactive in dictating play. “His backhand is rock solid but I think it could be better. He can be a bit more offensive with that shot. He defends amazingly well and he can change direction. He’s got all the shots on that side but can he be a bit more proactive with that? I think he can.”

Grass remains another focus. Draper arrived at Wimbledon 2025 as one of the candidates to break the Alcaraz–Sinner dominance — especially as a home favourite — but was eliminated in the second round by former finalist Marin Cilic. “When you look at Carlos and Jannik on a grass court, they are taking time away. To do well on grass, I think the return would be an important thing for him this year.”

Despite early Wimbledon exits, Delgado believes improvements in return positioning and movement could elevate Draper’s results at SW19. “He has the ability to return further up the court closer to baseline, especially on second serve returns. And the movement side of things, I think we’ll see an improvement in his movement on grass this year.”

For Delgado, the current Alcaraz–Sinner dominance is formidable but not permanent. “They’re obviously super young and you think it’s going to go on for a while but it’s difficult. They make it look very easy to be there and win these tournaments but it does take a lot out of you and if you only drop five per cent — your mindset, your hunger — you could lose a few matches.”