By Tony Fairbairn
- Carlos Alcaraz [3] def Jack Draper [15] 7-5 6-1 RET
- Jack Draper was ‘proud’ of his competitiveness during his run to the last 16 at the Australian Open
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Jack Draper is ‘proud’ of his competitive fight after a hip injury forced him to retire from his fourth round clash with Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
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It was one match too many for Jack Draper as the British number one was forced to retire from his fourth round contest with Carlos Alcaraz due to a hip injury.
Heading into the match Draper had competed in three consecutive five set matches just to get to the last 16 and would need every ounce of energy to get a result here.
The early signs were alarming as Alcaraz created break points on Draper’s first two service games.
However, some clutch serving and aggressive play fended off the challenge from the Spaniard with Draper creating a couple of break points of his own.
The Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion needed his best tennis to hold off Draper and that’s exactly what he did as he held and then broke for a 4-2 lead.
It looked like Alcaraz was going to cruise to the opening set but Draper refused to give up as he fought for every ball.
Two double faults from Alcaraz helped Draper’s cause as the Brit secured a lifeline, breaking back in the ninth game.
When it mattered most, Alcaraz raised his level as he produced a high-quality return game to break for the opening set sealing it with a forehand passing shot winner.
After an intense opening set, Draper finally showed signs of physical wear and tear as he had an off-court medical time-out to evaluate his hip.
The 15th seed vowed to play on but paid the ultimate price as he was barely able to move and Alcaraz took control of the second set with some outstanding tennis.
Two breaks of serve were enough to seal a two set lead and there was no coming back from that for Draper as he retired from the match.
After the match Draper explained how the injury got worse with Alcaraz’s intensity playing a big part in his retirement.
“After how much I have played, I didn’t pull up amazingly well. I was really, really sore after I played my last match. Obviously managing this hip thing, which I have been managing the last week or so,” Draper told the ATP website.
“When I got out there, and [with] Carlos’ intensity, I think it’s such a spot in sport you’re putting your body in positions all the time. I’m someone who throws my body around, gives it my all sort of thing. From the third game, I felt like I sort of had multiple areas that were really in pain, and especially the hip.
“Wasn’t expecting to come this far, actually, in all honesty. Obviously with all the hours I have played, been a bit too much on my body. I felt like today, you know, from the first couple of games, I felt everything getting worse. Yeah, not ideal to end this way.”
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Draper ‘proud’ of competitive spirit despite withdrawal
It has been a rough start to the season for Draper with a back injury halting his pre-season preparations before suffering a hip injury in Melbourne.
The Brit’s physical limitations have been there for all to see with Draper building a reputation for retiring during matches.
After retiring against Alcaraz Draper said that he doesn’t want to miss three to four months of the tour and will be managing his workload over the next part of the season.
“I had to get MRI looked at and stuff. I have had a history of problems in that area. It hasn’t gone away. I’m still dealing with that,” Draper revealed to the ATP website.
“Obviously in the preseason, it [went] into my back and I couldn’t walk and it was really difficult. I have come here and I have been managing that. 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, especially.
“I think it’s just one of those things, just massive overload. 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.”
Despite the injury setback, it has been a good tournament from the British number one who won three consecutive five matches with this being his first tournament of the season.
Reflecting on his tournament in Melbourne, Draper has said that he has played some average tennis this week but is proud of his competitiveness as he reached the second week at the Australian Open for the first time in his career.
“My tennis has been pretty bang-average. The whole week, it’s been really poor, actually,” Draper admitted to the ATP website.
“But it’s been my competitiveness, my fight, and my desire to win. That’s got me into the last 16 of a Grand Slam, which is something I’m very proud of. I’ve got obviously lots of events coming up. I want to have a good, consistent year.”
Draper’s next scheduled tournament is the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam which starts on the third of February.
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