PARIS — British tennis star Jack Draper delivered a brutally honest assessment of his performance after a shock first-round exit at the French Open, falling to Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik in a tense five-set battle. The 22-year-old, who had been tipped as a dark horse at Roland Garros, admitted he was "deflated and disappointed" by his inability to capitalize on key moments.
Draper, ranked No. 35 in the world, started strongly but ultimately succumbed to Bublik's unpredictable style, losing 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in a match that lasted over three hours. The defeat marked another early Grand Slam exit for the young Brit, who has struggled with injuries and consistency in recent months.
Draper's Candid Post-Match Reflection
In a frank post-match press conference, Draper didn’t shy away from critiquing his own game. "I felt like I had chances, but I just didn’t take them," he said. "Bublik is a tricky opponent, but I should have done better."
The match was a rollercoaster, with Draper dominating the second set but faltering in crucial moments thereafter. He cited his serve as a major weakness, landing just 52% of first serves and committing 12 double faults. "My serve let me down today, and that’s on me," he admitted.
Key Turning Points
The match swung dramatically in the fifth set when Draper, leading 3-2, failed to convert two break points that could have given him control. Bublik, known for his unorthodox play, capitalized with a series of drop shots and underarm serves that disrupted Draper’s rhythm.
Draper highlighted the mental toll of the match: "It’s frustrating because I know I’m better than this. I had the momentum, but I couldn’t sustain it. That’s something I need to work on."
Areas for Improvement
Draper pinpointed several areas where he needs to improve:
- Serve consistency: "I can’t afford to give away free points."
- Mental resilience: "I need to stay focused in pressure moments."
- Physical conditioning: "The fifth set exposed some fatigue issues."
Bublik’s Reaction
Bublik, who has a reputation for his unconventional tactics, praised Draper but acknowledged the Brit’s struggles. "Jack is a great player, but today he made mistakes at the wrong times," Bublik said. "I just tried to stay unpredictable and keep him guessing."
The Kazakhstani player, ranked No. 19, advanced to the second round, where he will face Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. For Draper, the focus now shifts to the grass-court season, where he hopes to rebound.
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment, Draper remains optimistic about his future. "This is a setback, but it’s not the end," he said. "I’ll learn from this and come back stronger."
With Wimbledon just weeks away, Draper will aim to rediscover his form on home soil. His powerful left-handed game is well-suited to grass, and he’ll be eager to prove his potential at the All England Club.
British tennis fans will hope Draper can channel his frustration into motivation. As he put it: "I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m working every day to get there."
The French Open exit may sting, but for Jack Draper, the journey is far from over. His honesty and self-awareness suggest a player determined to grow—and one who could yet make waves in the sport.