ROME — British tennis star Jack Draper delivered a brutally honest assessment of his performance after a fiery third-round defeat to world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz at the Italian Open, admitting his "mental and emotional" struggles contributed to the loss.
The 22-year-old left-hander, who has been touted as one of the sport's brightest young talents, fell 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a match marked by Draper's visible frustration, including smashing his racket in the decisive third set. Speaking post-match, Draper didn't hold back in his self-criticism.
A Fiery Encounter on Clay
The match began disastrously for Draper, who was broken twice in the opening set as Alcaraz's relentless baseline aggression and deft drop shots overwhelmed him. Though Draper fought back to claim the second set, his composure unraveled in the third, culminating in a racket smash after a crucial missed forehand.
"I lost my head a bit," Draper admitted. "It's something I've been working on, but today it got the better of me. Carlos is an incredible player, but I made it too easy for him at times." The Brit's frustration was compounded by a lingering hip issue that has hampered his clay-court season.
Draper's Candid Self-Reflection
Known for his powerful serve and aggressive play, Draper has struggled with consistency this season, particularly in high-pressure moments. Against Alcaraz, his unforced error count (42) far outweighed his winners (28).
"I need to be better mentally," he said. "When things aren't going my way, I let it affect me too much. That's on me. I have the game to compete with the best, but today, my emotions got in the way." Draper's honesty resonated with fans, many of whom praised his accountability.
Key Struggles Highlighted
Draper pinpointed several areas where he fell short:
- Serve inconsistency: Only 58% of first serves landed, well below his usual standard.
- Unforced errors: 42 miscues, including 12 double faults.
- Emotional control: The racket smash and visible frustration disrupted his rhythm.
Alcaraz's Perspective
Alcaraz, who advances to the fourth round, acknowledged Draper's potential but noted the Brit's struggles. "Jack is a tough opponent, especially when he's confident," the Spaniard said. "But today, I could see he was fighting himself as much as me. That’s something every player goes through."
The match was a stark contrast to their previous meeting at the 2022 Swiss Indoors, where Draper pushed Alcaraz to three tight sets. This time, the Brit’s inability to sustain momentum proved costly.
Looking Ahead
Despite the defeat, Draper remains optimistic about his progress. "I’m learning every match," he said. "This loss hurts, but it’s part of the journey. I’ll take the lessons and come back stronger." With the French Open looming, Draper will aim to recalibrate both his game and mindset.
Tennis analysts have noted Draper’s raw talent but emphasize the need for emotional resilience. "He’s got all the tools," said former British No. 1 Tim Henman. "But at this level, the mental game is just as important as the physical one. Jack’s admission shows he’s aware of that—now it’s about applying it."
For now, Draper’s focus shifts to recovery and preparation for Roland Garros, where he’ll look to prove that this setback is merely a stepping stone in his ascent.