Jack Draper will be the fifth seed at the French Open French Open 2025 Dates:25 May-8 JuneVenue:Roland Garros Coverage:Live radio commentary from 19:00 BST on BBC 5 Sports Extra, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app Seeing a Briton in a big clay-court final - and their name not being Andy Murray - is still not something we are used to. Jack Draper's recent run to the Madrid Open final, where helost in three close setsto Casper Ruud, was the backbone of an impressive clay-court swing for the British number one. But the French Open has historically not been synonymous with British singles success. Andy Murray reached the 2016 final, but Sue Barker was Britain's last singles champion in the French capital back in 1976. Last year all six Britons who competed in the singles went out in the first round - the third time that has happened this century. At the time, Dan Evans said he and his compatriots were "in the best spot" on clay for "a long time"- and he may actually have had a point. But what tools are needed to succeed on clay? Clay is a slower surface than grass, which means more rallies, more sliding and more running. Take Iga Swiatek, for example. The four-time French Open champion is an outstanding mover. Her speed allows her to cover the court as efficiently as possible and recover quickly enough to help tee up her aggressive forehand. Fitness is one of the reasons Draper has had success on the clay - a surface he did not have much experience or joy on before this year. Draper retired injured on his French Open senior debut two years ago and later lamented being "the guy who's injured a lot" after retiring from three successive Grand Slam matches. But bringing in team members focused on fitness - Draper has hired physio Shane Annun and fitness trainer Matt Little, both former members of Murray's team - has paid off. Draper went through three successive five-set matches at the Australian Open and has been a constant presence on the tour since then. After reaching the Madrid final, Draper went straight to Rome for the Italian Open. The fatigue was obvious - Draper had to repeatedly yell at himself to get his energy going in hiscomeback victoryagainst Corentin Moutet in the fourth round - but the ability to find a way through it, to win despite seemingly running on fumes, is key to clay-court success. When you think of 14-time champion Rafael Nadal holding court at the French Open, it is his forehand that comes to mind; leaping into mid-air, left arm crossed across his chest, straight after lassoing a forehand winner across the clay. Nadal's lefty forehand was a weapon on all courts, but clay was where it really shone. The grip and follow-through, that whip across the body, allowed him to hit with heavy top spin - a key skill on clay. Adding more spin to the ball makes it bounce higher and pushes an opponent further back behind the baseline. The player will likely have to take the ball on the rise, meaning it is harder to control, particularly if they are shorter. "Nadal knows how to manipulate the angles to get people out of position," Michael Chang, champion at Roland Garros in 1989,previously told BBC Sport. "He is very aggressive, although patient when he needs to be, but for the most part if the shot is there he is taking it and going for it. "He's the one manipulating, making you move and putting you in awkward positions to the point where he has easy cutaways." It has been a decent clay-court swing for the British singles players. Jack Draper:Reached Madrid Open final and Italian Open quarter-finals Emma Raducanu:Reached Italian Open fourth round Jacob Fearnley:Won first ATP Tour main-draw match on clay and beat a top-20 player for first time Katie Boulter:Won first title on clay at WTA 125 event in Paris Cameron Norrie:Reached Italian Open fourth round Sliding is key on clay, in order to stop a player falling behind in a rally. By being able to slide in to a shot, players can return the ball from a defensive position, as well as adjust their position more quickly to play a more aggressive shot. Before the season began, Draper and compatriot Jacob Fearnleyhit together,externalat the National Tennis Centre. One of the main things they practised was sliding - a video posted by the LTA saw them running back and forth, sliding across the clay and mimicking a shot, to finesse their balance and control. Before this season, Fearnley had not won a clay-court match on the ATP Tour. He goes into the French Open with a 9-3 record on the surface, including a win over world number 19 Tomas Machac. "It's important to slide into your shots rather than starting to slide after it," Britain's Heather Watsonpreviously said.,external "Make sure that your knee doesn't go over your toe either, because then you can injure yourself badly." Andy Murray reached the French Open final in 2016 The LTA said in 2024 there were about 1,300 clay-courts in Great Britain. That is around 5% of the 23,000 total number of courts. In contrast, about 60% of courts in Spain - one of the leading nations on the surface - are clay. The National Tennis Centre hasfour clay courts,externaland the governing body is "forming new partnerships" with clay-court facilities in Barcelona and Girona, where young players can go for camps and training sessions. British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith haspreviously toldBBC Radio 5 Live that maintaining a clay court can be expensive for clubs - and is not helped by the British weather. British number five Francesca Jones said there has historically been a "slight reluctance" for young British players to travel abroad to clay academies. That is a route Murray took, playing in junior clay tournaments around Europe from the age of 12 and moving to Spain's Sanchez-Casal Academy aged 15. Draper may not class clay as his favourite surface but he too has had experience on it from a young age, telling BBC Sport: "Professionally with the ATP I haven't played loads on it. But when I was younger, whether it was in the UK or abroad, playing European events, I always did well on the clay. "I always thought I was a player who could play well on all surfaces."
What makes a good clay-court player?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Jack Draper Prepares for French Open After Strong Clay-Court Season"
Bbc News
7.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Jack Draper, the British tennis player, has been making waves in the clay-court season, recently reaching the final of the Madrid Open before falling to Casper Ruud in a closely contested match. As he heads into the 2025 French Open, where he is seeded fifth, Draper's performance marks a significant moment for British tennis, particularly as he is not Andy Murray, the most recognized name in the sport. Historically, British players have struggled on clay, with Murray being the only one to reach a final in recent years, while last year's French Open saw all six British competitors eliminated in the first round. Despite this backdrop, Draper’s fitness and strategic approach to the game have improved significantly, aided by the hiring of a dedicated fitness team, which has allowed him to endure the rigors of clay-court matches, including multiple five-set encounters at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Success on clay demands a unique skill set, including exceptional movement and the ability to slide effectively. Players like Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal exemplify the mastery of these techniques, utilizing their speed and spin to control the court. Draper has been focusing on these essential skills, practicing sliding techniques to enhance his performance on the slower surface. He has also shown resilience, pushing through fatigue during matches as observed in his recent comeback victory at the Italian Open. With the ongoing efforts of the Lawn Tennis Association to promote clay-court training in Britain, including partnerships with facilities in Spain, the future looks promising for British players on this challenging surface. While Draper may not yet consider clay his preferred surface, his early experiences and recent successes indicate a growing proficiency that could lead to more significant achievements at the French Open and beyond.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides insights into the evolving landscape of clay-court tennis, particularly focusing on Jack Draper, a rising British player. It highlights the challenges faced by British players in the French Open and discusses the attributes necessary for success on clay, emphasizing the importance of fitness and skill.
Motivation Behind the Article
The piece aims to spotlight Jack Draper’s achievements and potential in a sport where British players have historically struggled, particularly on clay courts. By discussing his recent success, the article seeks to inspire hope for future British success in tennis, moving beyond the legacy of Andy Murray.
Perception Creation
This article attempts to cultivate a positive perception of British tennis, particularly emphasizing a new generation of players like Draper who could revive Britain's fortunes in clay-court tournaments. It contrasts the current optimism with historical struggles, which may resonate with readers who desire a resurgence in British tennis.
Hidden Aspects
While the article focuses on Draper’s success and fitness improvements, it may downplay the broader context of British tennis, such as systemic issues in player development or the potential pressures on young athletes. By concentrating on individual narratives, it risks glossing over systemic challenges within the sport.
Reliability of the News
The information presented appears factual, drawing from recent events and player statements. However, the article could be perceived as somewhat selective in its narrative, emphasizing Draper’s positive trajectory while not addressing the broader struggles faced by other British players. This selective focus may introduce a slight bias, yet it does not fundamentally undermine the reliability of the report.
Societal Implications
The article could influence public sentiment towards tennis in Britain, potentially increasing interest and support for upcoming players. This may result in heightened attendance at matches or greater investment in tennis programs. In the long term, success at events like the French Open could bolster national pride and enhance sporting investment.
Target Audience
The narrative resonates with tennis fans, particularly those interested in British sports. It aims to engage a younger audience who may be looking for relatable figures in the sport, contrasting with the established legacy of figures like Andy Murray.
Economic Impact
While the immediate economic implications may be limited, increased interest in British tennis could boost local economies, particularly around tournament times. Success at the French Open could also positively impact sponsorships and investments in British tennis.
Relation to Global Dynamics
The article does not explicitly engage with broader geopolitical dynamics; however, the success of players like Draper could enhance Britain’s international image in sports, indirectly affecting national pride and unity.
Artificial Intelligence Utilization
There is a possibility that AI tools were employed in crafting the narrative, particularly in organizing statistics and player performance data. Language models might have been used to structure the article in an engaging manner, emphasizing Draper's story. However, the core storytelling appears human-driven, focusing on personal narratives rather than automated reporting.
Potential Manipulation
While the article does not overtly manipulate, it frames the narrative to evoke optimism and pride, which could be seen as a subtle form of persuasion meant to rally support for British tennis. The choice of language emphasizes success and potential, possibly overshadowing ongoing challenges within the sport.
The analysis reveals a largely positive outlook on Jack Draper and British tennis, though it is essential to recognize the broader context and challenges that remain.