Jack Draper, Britain’s No. 1 tennis player, has voiced strong concerns about the increasingly demanding nature of the tennis calendar, referring to it as “a mental calendar.” Fresh off his intense semi-final match against Jannik Sinner at the US Open, Draper stepped onto the court again for the Davis Cup, just days later, without adequate recovery time. His situation has brought attention to the strain that top players face due to the relentless grind of back-to-back tournaments.
“There’s no doubt it’s a quick turnaround,” Draper remarked about the challenges of playing so soon after New York, where he struggled with extreme heat and fatigue. Despite having the option to skip the Davis Cup, Draper, proud to represent his country, chose to compete. However, he acknowledged that this decision further highlights how the packed schedule forces players to compromise between national pride and personal well-being.
Draper’s concerns align with growing frustrations from players like world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who also criticized the hectic schedule, emphasizing the lack of time for rest and preparation. Swiatek had previously commented, “We literally need to show up, and we don’t have time to work on stuff… from one tournament, we’re going straight to another.”
The tennis calendar, which spans 11 months and covers five continents, leaves little room for recovery, leading many players to struggle with maintaining both their physical and mental health. Draper reflected on the year, noting the grueling stretch from Miami to the US Open, with no real breaks: “We went straight into the clay, then straight on to the grass… then it’s Asia, then the indoor season.”
As the ATP and WTA look to promote the next generation of tennis superstars, players like Draper and Swiatek are warning that without a more sustainable schedule, it will be increasingly difficult for athletes to maintain their performance levels and enjoy long careers. If tennis hopes to keep its stars fit, healthy, and eager to compete, the sport’s governing bodies may need to reevaluate the overloaded calendar to protect the future of the game.
For Draper and others, it’s clear that the current system is unsustainable. “It’s really mentally and physically challenging,” he said, echoing what many players have been feeling for years.
Jack Draper in 2024
Now ranked no.20 (career-high), the Brit played his last match on the 13th of September when he lost to world no.31 Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(4) 7-5 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
This season Draper has an overall 30-19 record. This year, the Brit won 1 tournament in Stuttgart. Jack reached the final in Adelaide.
Jack Draper will face the world no.399 Lucas Poullain in the final. Their actual head to head record is 2-0 for Poullain.
Draper conquered 1 title in 2024 in Stuttgart. The Brit was the runner-up in Adelaide (Adelaide International).
Jack Draper |
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