Jack Draper received support from Carlos Alcaraz during injury struggles
Former British No 1 Laura Robson has revealed Jack Draper received supportive texts from Carlos Alcaraz during his struggles with injury earlier this year.
Robson explained how the world No 1 offered to help Draper with anything he needed or to have a chat after he suffered an injury at Indian Wells.
Draper was forced to retire in the second set of his last 16 clash with Alcaraz at the Indian Wells Masters in March due to an abdominal injury.
The 21 year-old Brit then played three events during the clay-court season, before missing almost three months with a shoulder injury.
In just his third tournament since his return, Draper has achieved his best Grand Slam result to date by reaching the fourth round of the US Open. The world No 123 will face eighth-ranked Andrey Rublev today.
Robson, who reached the last 16 of the US Open in 2012, spoke of the support two-time major champion Alcaraz gave Draper following the pair’s meeting.
“I was actually speaking to Jack Draper back in Miami after he’d had to pull out of the tournament there having injured himself in Indian Wells,” said the former world No 27, as reported by talkSPORT.
“He was getting texts from Carlos saying, ‘Let me know if you need anything. Reach out if you want to have a chat about how you’re feeling, about having so many injuries on and off.’
“And [Alcaraz] just got the situation. And Jack’s got nothing but good things to say about him. But I can’t think of anyone who has got a bad thing to say about him.”
Britain’s Katie Boulter, who reached the third round at the US Open, praised Draper’s strong return from injury and run at Flushing Meadows.
“What he’s done is so impressive, it really is. I don’t think anyone quite understands how hard it is to come back from an injury,” said the world No 61 following her defeat to Peyton Stearns.
“I know players who have injuries and struggled to come back. He’s out here in the fourth round of a Slam for the first time playing some of the best tennis. He’s just a good guy and it’s so nice to see him doing well.
“He really does deserve it because he puts the work in day in, day out. I wish him the best. Keep flying the flag and he has the game for it.”
