In the latest edition of Second Serve, our weekly snapshot of the tours, BBC tennis reporterJonathan Jurejkoanalyses Jack Draper's improved clay-court game. Another inquest into the lack of British clay-court success opened at last year's French Open. For the third time this century, the British singles players suffered a first-round wipeout at Roland Garros and led to many fans questioning - again - why the nation has struggled to produce players who win regularly on the red dirt. Jack Draper was among the beaten Britons after an error-strewn defeat by Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong. Fast forward almost a year and Draper is now a clay-court ATP Masters finalist. The British men's number one enjoyed a productive run at the Madrid Open beforelosing an intense three-set battleagainst two-time French Open runner-up Casper Ruud. "There isn't a surface in my mind that Jack can't play on," former British number one Tim Henman told BBC Sport last month. "When you look at his attributes â he's got a big, lefty serve, he hits his forehand with a lot of spin and power - they work on any surface, certainly on clay." Despite his previous lack of success, Draper always felt he could challenge - providing he was primed physically. More matches in the tank have been key for a player who has often been hampered by fitness issues. The 23-year-old has gained greater belief in his body after coming through a series of gruelling five-set matches at the Australian Open in January. Employing physio Shane Annun and fitness trainer Matt Little - who were both long-term members of Andy Murrayâs team - has benefitted him. "I went from thinking that I was weak and like I wasn't going to be able to carry on, to then feeling 'wow, I'm actually pretty strong'," Draper said. Draper (left) lost 7-5 3-6 6-4 to Ruud in Sunday's Madrid Open final This was illustrated during Draper's semi-final against Lorenzo Musetti in Madrid. The Briton seemed to be fading in the second set and battled to hang on to his serve - then found another gear in a tie-break to increase his intensity and secure victory. Clay is seen as the most physically demanding surface because its slower speed leads to longer points and more brutal contests. It's not the most natural surface for Draper. He has worked hard on his movement and the ability to slide across the dirt. Being more mobile means he can get in the right positions to execute his most potent weapons. Draper's serve - both in terms of power and variety - allows him to start points strongly, but it was his forehand that really caught the eye in Madrid. The topspin and speed wowed fans at the Caja Magica, even drawing a few comparisons to Rafael Nadal - the recently retired 'King of Clay' who won a record 14 French Open titles. Nobody is suggested Draper will have that level of success, of course, but like Nadal he has been using the pace and bounce of his forehand to trouble opponents. "My forehand's come into own on all surfaces but this year on the clay it's really doing a lot of damage," said Draper. "I'm trying to base my game around that and my serve, and getting more and more efficient." In Madrid, Draper also found the right blend between defence and attack, while using the drop shot at the right time was also an effective tool. Despite all the positive signs, it is telling that Draper - like all great players who harbour ambitions of winning Grand Slam titles - has an insatiable appetite for further improvement. In his post-final news conference in Madrid, he highlighted his serve, net play and physicality as the areas he needed to particularly work on. "I'm nowhere near where I want to be," Draper said. "There are plenty of things that are going to keep on improving and I'm going to keep on getting better and better. I believe that." Aryna Sabalenka strengthened her position at the top of the WTA rankingsby winning a third Madrid Open title. The uncertainty around Novak Djokovic continues. The 24-time Grand Slam championpulled out of the Italian Openafter an early exit in Madrid and looks unlikely to play again before the French Open. The Madrid Open wasplunged into chaoswhen a power outage swept across Spain. It led to candlelit meals, no showers after matches and long walks home for players. Draper has made the most notable move in the ATP rankings, climbing to a new career high of fifth in the world. He is only the fourth Briton - after Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and Andy Murray - to break into the men's top five. Norway'sRuudregained his place in the top 10 by winning the Madrid final, with Italy'sMusettijoining him there for the first time in his career. Former world number oneDaniil Medvedevdropped out of the top 10 for only the fourth week since July 2019, while Canada'sGabriel Diallojumped 24 places to 54th after reaching the Madrid quarters. In the WTA rankings, Sabalenka's title win helped her open up a whopping 4,345-point gap over Polish world number twoIga Swiatek. Coco Gauff,who lost to Sabalenka in Saturday's final, moved back to third spot above American compatriot Jessica Pegula. Former world number oneNaomi Osakais back inside the top 50, having dropped down a level to win a WTA Challenger event in France. Both tours are heading to Rome for another combined ATP and WTA clay-court event played over a fortnight. The focus of attention will be Jannik Sinner, who returns from his three-month ban for twice failing doping tests. The Italian world number one will be granted a hero's welcome by the home fans. But what about in the locker room? The story around Sinner's comebackis analysed here. Draper was the only British singles player in Tour-level action at the weekend, withJacob FearnleyandCameron Norriegoing out of the Madrid last 16 on Tuesday. Katie Boulter, Emma RaducanuandSonay Kartal- the top three British women - returned to the National Tennis Centre after losing in Madrid last week. The trio continued to practice on the clay courts before heading out to Rome, where they each have direct entry into the main draw. Norrie must go through qualifying, along withBilly HarrisandHarriet Dart. With so many professional tennis tournaments taking place across the world, and across so many levels, it can be hard to keep up with everything from one week to the next. As part of BBC Sport's commitment to offer more for tennis fans, Second Serve will be your weekly round-up of the biggest stories in the sport. As well as the main talking point, you can see which ATP and WTA players are making significant progress - or struggling for form, how the British contingent are doing and what the next stops on the calendars are. You canalso sign upto get the latest tennis news from BBC Sport delivered straight to your mobile phone.
How Draper has become a force on clay - Second Serve
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Jack Draper Shows Significant Improvement in Clay-Court Performance"
Bbc News
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
In a recent analysis by BBC tennis reporter Jonathan Jurejko, Jack Draper's evolution on clay courts is highlighted, marking a significant turnaround from the previous year's disappointment at the French Open. Last year, Draper was among the British players who faced a first-round exit at Roland Garros, leading to widespread criticism regarding the country's performance on clay. However, in an impressive display of resilience, Draper has since advanced to the finals of the ATP Masters in Madrid, demonstrating his growth and adaptation to the challenges of playing on clay. His journey illustrates not only a shift in performance but also a newfound physical confidence, stemming from rigorous training and support from former members of Andy Murray's team. Draper has expressed that he now feels stronger and more capable of competing at a high level, which was evident in his gripping semi-final match against Lorenzo Musetti, where he showcased his ability to elevate his game during critical moments.
Draper's success can be attributed to his technical improvements, particularly in his movement and shot execution on clay, a surface known for its demanding nature. His powerful left-handed serve and forehand have become key weapons, allowing him to initiate points effectively and apply pressure on his opponents. The comparisons to the legendary Rafael Nadal, especially regarding his forehand's spin and speed, highlight Draper's potential on this challenging surface. Despite these advancements, Draper remains humble and focused on further improvement, identifying areas like serve accuracy and net play as aspects he aims to refine. As he prepares for upcoming tournaments, including the Italian Open, Draper's commitment to enhancing his game suggests that he is not only aiming for immediate success but also for a sustained presence among the elite in men's tennis. His rise to a career-high ranking of fifth in the ATP standings underscores his evolving status as a formidable player on the tour, and fans are eager to see how he will continue to develop his clay-court game going forward.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The news article focuses on the recent rise of Jack Draper in the world of clay-court tennis, highlighting his journey from early struggles to becoming an ATP Masters finalist. This narrative aims to inspire and instill hope within the British tennis community, especially given the historically poor performance of British players on clay surfaces. By emphasizing Draper's physical and mental development, the article seeks to present a positive outlook on the future of British tennis.
Purpose of the Article
The article aims to celebrate Jack Draper's achievements and to highlight his potential as a top player on clay surfaces. It serves to counter the longstanding narrative of British tennis struggles on clay, particularly after the disappointing performances at the French Open. By focusing on Draper’s transformation and success, the article seeks to foster a sense of optimism among fans and stakeholders in British tennis.
Public Perception
The piece is likely intended to shift public perception towards a more positive view of British tennis, suggesting that success on clay is achievable. By showcasing Draper's improvements and the support he has received from experienced coaches, the article promotes the idea that the right training and mindset can yield results, which may help to rekindle interest and support for the sport in Britain.
Potential Concealments
While the article is largely celebratory, it may downplay the broader issues facing British tennis, such as the systemic challenges in developing players who can compete at high levels consistently. There is no explicit mention of the overall lack of depth in British men’s tennis talent, which could lead to a more nuanced understanding of the sport's landscape being overlooked.
Manipulative Elements
The article has a moderate level of manipulativeness, as it selectively highlights Draper's achievements while glossing over the ongoing challenges within British tennis. The language used is motivational, which can lead readers to feel a sense of national pride but may also obscure the complexities of the situation.
Reliability of the Article
The information presented appears to be factual and supported by quotes from credible sources, including former British tennis players. However, the focus on Draper's story could lead to a somewhat skewed perception of the broader tennis context in Britain. Overall, the article is reliable, but it should be read with an understanding of its limitations in covering the full scope of British tennis.
Impact on Society and Economy
This article could potentially boost interest in tennis among the British public, leading to increased participation in the sport and possibly impacting local economies through higher attendance at events and increased sales of tennis-related products. A successful Draper could also enhance sponsorship opportunities for British tennis.
Community Support
The narrative is likely to resonate more with tennis enthusiasts and fans who appreciate the sport's intricacies and those who have a vested interest in the success of British athletes. The article may appeal particularly to younger audiences inspired by Draper's journey and potential.
Market Influence
While the article itself may not directly affect stock markets or economic indicators, successful athletes often influence sports-related investments and sponsorship dynamics, which can indirectly impact the businesses involved in tennis and sports marketing.
Geopolitical Context
Although this article does not address geopolitical issues directly, national pride in sports can play a role in a country's image and morale. Success in tennis can contribute to a sense of unity and pride, particularly in a post-Brexit Britain, where sports achievements may be highlighted as a form of soft power.
Use of AI in Writing
It is unlikely that AI was employed in the crafting of this article, as it contains personal insights and quotes that suggest human authorship. However, AI tools could have been used in some aspects of research or data gathering, particularly for statistics related to Draper's performance.
The article presents a hopeful narrative surrounding Jack Draper's growth in tennis, aiming to inspire British tennis fans while selectively highlighting his successes and downplaying broader systemic issues.