Jack Draper joins Rafael Nadal in remarkable statistic after reaching Madrid last 4
Jack Draper joined Rafael Nadal as the second left-handed ATP singles player in the 21st century to reach the world’s top five – a feat which was confirmed after his victory over Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid.
The Brit defeated Arnaldi – who previously had beaten Novak Djokovic – 6-0, 6-4 and is yet to lose a set in the Spanish capital.
In doing so, Draper is confirmed to leapfrog Djokovic in the rankings and will have at least 4190 points against his name when the ATP standings are released on Monday – 30 more than the Serb.
Back in May of 2005, Nadal reached the world’s top five for the first time in his illustrious career, aged four years younger than the Brit.
“I mean, obviously he’s a lefty, and growing up watching him, but I wasn’t ever trying to think I’m going to be like him on a clay court, you know, he’s pretty good,” Draper responded, when asked if he looks to copy Nadal’s clay-court game.
“But, no, I think definitely things I can learn from the way he looked for his forehand, the way he dictates, and the way he bullies opponents, especially on the clay. I think that’s definitely something I’m learning how to do, look for my forehand more, and try and dictate what I’m trying to do, for sure.”
Draper has lacked clay-court success, unable to win a match at Roland Garros, but has looked comfortable on the surface in Madrid, with his performance being his first clay-court semi-final.
The soon-to-be world No 5 has looked like a different player in 2025, lifting the biggest title of his career at the Indian Wells Masters – defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz along the way.
Draper commented about how he has been able to maximise his game throughout this season: “When I came on to the tour I was coming up the rankings, and then I took quite a lot of losses, especially this time last year, some tight losses.
“I was trying to find my blueprint as a player, and I think that towards the end of last year it started to come together what I was trying to do.
“I think this year it’s just getting more and more, I think, physically getting stronger, mentally getting stronger, and therefore the tennis and what I’m trying to do out there is also feeling pretty set, you know.”
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“Yeah, I mean, I think just more experience, obviously more matches, more chances I’ve had to play on the biggest stages against the top players, and the more exposure to that, I think that helps big time [in aiding his mentality],” the Brit added.
“But also I think, what was I going to say, the confidence of what I’m trying to do, you know, feeling like I’m pretty set, and my blueprint’s there and I can focus on that. Also just, yeah, more belief, I suppose, in what I’m trying to achieve. That’s it, really.”
Draper will next face Lorenzo Musetti in the Madrid Masters semi-final.
