Jiri Lehecka shares kind words for Jack Draper after Adelaide showdown
With Jiri Lehecka and Jack Draper contesting the Adelaide International final one man’s quest for a first ATP Tour title would be their dream come true while the other would be left disappointed at coming so close.
Lehecka said he was delighted to share the stage in Adelaide with Draper, whom he has known since their days on the junior circuit together.
He feels that Draper would have progressed further in his career but for the injuries that marred his 2022 and 2023 seasons.
“We’ve known each other since we were kids,” said Lehecka.
“I feel like we are on this journey together, and unfortunately for him, he had some injuries which stopped him from going onwards.
“He’s a great guy, great competitor. I’m happy that he’s able to compete again fully healthy because he’s such a dangerous player.”
Draper started the showdown on top, and Lehecka had to hang in before mounting his comeback to take a hard-fought first title in Adelaide.
“He was the better player for one-and-a-half sets, almost two sets,” said Lehecka. “First set he was playing better in the key moments. I wasn’t playing bad, but I would say I played top 10, he played top 5 sometimes. That was something a bit hard for me to swallow.
“But I just kept believing. I still wanted to win. I never doubted my game at the moment, and I just knew that the time will come, and (at) 5-4, second set, two mistakes, and two times I played well.
“That was the moment where I just showed the patience that helped me a lot and the third set was a battle.”
Draper was gracious in defeat and gave Lehecka his due for producing he championship winning level.
“You deserve it and you were the better player today,” Draper said.
Lehecka said that there were few places that he would rather win his first title han Adelaide as he really enjoys his visits to the South Australian city.
“It’s a dream come true. I always wanted to win a trophy so it’s even better that I won it here in Adelaide in Australia, where I love it,” Lehecka said after his win.
When informed that he would rise to world No 23 on Monday, Lehecka immediately drew the connection with goated No 23 Michael Jordan.
“It’s a nice number, Michael Jordan,” he noted.
Lehecka will start his Australian Open on Tuesday, when he is scheduled to face Spain’s Bernabé Zapata Miralles. Lehecka carries the No 32 seeding for the tournament.
READ MORE: Jack Draper sets big rankings target and believes he is ready to challenge
