Jack Draper will be doing his utmost to avoid any matchday sickness as he looks to get his Grand Slam season off to a strong start at the Australian Open.
Draper faces a tricky Australian Open first round match against Mariano Navone, who is 47th in the ATP rankings.
The British number one was sick after his first round match last time out, with that issue repeating itself in the US Open semi-finals, his best-ever Grand Slam finish.
Draper cancelled off-season training with Carlos Alcaraz due to injury, but he has since been able to practise with Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.
Sinner and Alcaraz dominated the 2024 Grand Slam season with two titles each, but Draper could help form the next Big Three if he continues on his current path.
What Jack Draper has noticed about Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic in practice
The 23-year-old has been doing his best to prepare for the Australian Open in the most suitable well, with Draper sharing those plans with the PA news agency ahead of his opening match.
“This year I’ve really tried to do different things,” he said. “I’m from a country where we’re inside a lot and it’s cold.
READ MORE: Tim Henman responds when asked if Jack Draper can win a Grand Slam title in 2025
“Coming into a tournament like this where it is really hot, we don’t get a lot of that exposure. I’ve got a lot of heat training in and I feel good.
“I’ve been working hard on different techniques with my breathing. I’m a young player, I’m still trying to understand how I operate best in all areas.
“It’s not just the tennis, it’s a big mental game as well and it’s how we recover after points and deal with stress in general, whether that be the tennis or the conditions. I think my prep for the heat this year has been a lot better than previous years.”
And of his training with Sinner and Djokovic, Draper said: “They just bring such a high quality to the practice court. It’s really great to be able to spar with that kind of level of intensity and work ethic.”
Can Jack Draper overcome sickness issues to shine at the Australian Open?
The likes of Sinner and Djokovic are undoubtedly pushing Draper to be better, with the Briton certain to be keen to follow in their footsteps.
Italian star Sinner is the same age as the British number one, but he already boasts two Grand Slam titles, and doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.
READ MORE: Jack Draper gives his verdict on Carlos Alcaraz after beating him on grass in 2024
Djokovic meanwhile is the veteran of the group at the age of 37, but his 24 Grand Slam titles speak for themself, and he may just add to that tally in 2025.
Draper will be eager to forge his own path in tennis, but taking advice from his fellow ATP stars both on and off the court will be invaluable.
He won his first two tour-level titles last season and reached a career-high ranking of 15th, but now comes the test of progression.
Adding more titles and perhaps making a Grand Slam final could be on his agenda for 2025, along with overcoming his sickness issues.
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