Jack Draper is playing the best tennis of his career right now as he continues to impress on the ATP Tour.
The British star broke through to win his first Masters 1000 title earlier this year, when Draper beat Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final.
Transitioning onto his less favored clay courts, he surpassed all expectations, as Draper qualified for the Madrid Open final, narrowly coming up short in three sets to Casper Ruud.
The 23-year-old’s performances in the Spanish capital saw him reach a career-high ranking of fifth in the world, surpassing the legendary Novak Djokovic.
Ahead of his opening match at the Italian Open, another British star has commented on what Draper has done this year, that he simply ‘can’t believe’.
Dan Evans ‘can’t believe’ how many matches Jack Draper has won in 2025
Speaking to 5 Live Sport, former British number one Dan Evans shared his thoughts on Draper’s 2025 season.
“I think he has scheduled very well. He has taken time off when he’s needed it, like after Australia, he took time off,” said Evans.
“I am in the camp of I can’t believe how many matches he has won and easily.
“I think he won Doha [actually lost in the final], Vienna, before that, and Indian Wells. That is three pretty big tournaments and a final in Madrid.
“He is playing well at the right times, that’s for sure.”
It’s not surprising that Evans ‘can’t believe’ how many matches Draper has won this year, as the world number five has already picked up 19 victories in 2025.
| Rank | Name | 2025 Match wins | 2025 Win % | 2025 Titles |
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | 7 | 100% | 1 (Australian Open) |
| 2 | Alexander Zverev | 21 | 72% | 1 (Munich Open) |
| 3 | Carlos Alcaraz | 24 | 83% | 2 (Rotterdam Open, Monte-Carlo Masters) |
| 4 | Taylor Fritz | 16 | 70% | 0 |
| 5 | Jack Draper | 19 | 79% | 1 (Indian Wells) |
| 6 | Novak Djokovic | 12 | 63% | 0 |
| 7 | Casper Ruud | 21 | 78% | 1 (Madrid Open) |
| 8 | Alex de Minaur | 24 | 73% | 0 |
| 9 | Lorenzo Musetti | 16 | 73% | 0 |
| 10 | Holger Rune | 16 | 62% | 1 (Barcelona Open) |
Draper trails only Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in win% for the year, having won 79% of his ATP Tour matches.
Evans went on to preview Draper’s chances at next month’s French Open, an event at which he is yet to win a match throughout his career.
- 2023 French Open – Jack Draper lost in 1R to Tomas Martin Etcheverry, 4-6, 0-1 (RET)
- 2024 French Open – Jack Draper lost in 1R to Jesper de Jong, 5-7, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, 3-6
“I am looking forward to seeing the French. I think it’s going to be an exciting ride for us all to be on to watch how it all unfolds, because I think he can do it in the Masters, we have seen that now,” he said.
“I want to see some consistently deep runs that get us excited in the Grand Slams.”
The 2025 French Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, May 25.
Dan Evans predicts what could happen to Jack Draper at the 2025 Italian Open
Draper will first look to back up his run in Madrid with a strong showing in the Italian capital.
Evans believes Draper could be dangerous in Rome and explains what may happen if the Brit gets some wins under his belt during the early rounds.
“He will get up to pace pretty quickly practicing with [Andrey] Rublev,” he said.
“For me, it’s a free week for him now. He had a great week last week. If he doesn’t do great, okay, get back, rest up. You have had a great clay season, and he will go into the French feeling good regardless.
“If he gets through one or two matches, he is going to be dangerous again. I think that is what James Trotman will be telling him.
“Get through the first few matches and nobody will want to play him.
“It’s funny some people will think they might have a better chance at the start of the tournament to get him than after they have won one or two matches.”
He’ll face a tough test in his opener against home-favorite Luciano Darderi, and things won’t get much easier from that point on, as Draper’s draw looks tricky.
Jack Draper’s route to the Italian Open title (By ranking)
- 2R – Luciano Darderi
- 3R – Sebastian Baez
- 4R – Holger Rune
- QF – Carlos Alcaraz
- SF – Alexander Zverev
- F – Jannik Sinner
By ranking, Draper’s most likely opponents on his way to the final, Darderi, Sebastian Baez, Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev, have all won clay-court titles in 2025.
If he were to run that daunting gauntlet, he could then face an even tougher test in the final against Italian icon Jannik Sinner who is set to return from suspension in Rome.
Only time will tell if Draper can exceed expectations once more and produce some magic in Italy.
Draper will begin his 2025 Italian Open campaign in the second round against Darderi on Friday, May 9.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
