Jack Draper has continued his superb season at the Madrid Open, with the Briton now into the quarter-finals.
Draper is loving British success at the Madrid Open, the latest ATP Masters 1000 event in the 2025 calendar.
British number one Draper is the fifth seed at the tournament, and now meets Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the last eight of the Madrid Open.
Draper thinks he has transitioned well on clay, with his sights set on Madrid success after he fell at the round of 16 at the Monte Carlo Masters.
That was his first clay court tournament of the season, which arrived not long after he triumphed at Indian Wells.
What Rafael Nadal did on clay that Jack Draper is trying to copy
Speaking after his latest victory, the world number six has shared how the King of Clay Rafael Nadal has helped him improve on the surface.
“For me it has just been the movement,” he told Tennis Channel. “I didn’t grow up on the surface, playing lots, like a lot of these players from South America or Spain or somewhere like that.
“It is kind of learning tactically what shots to play at certain times. I think that just comes with more competition, more matches, more exposure to playing these top players in the world and getting a better understanding of how I can be the best I can be.
“I think looking for the forehand and looking for my weapons is something that I have seen Rafa do since I was young, looking for that forehand. I am improving all the time and it is a good challenge for me.”
Jack Draper says if he analyses his opponents after reaching Madrid Open quarter-final
Draper has distanced himself from Nadal comparisons, but he is certainly wise to try and emulate how the Spaniard played on clay.
He won a record 14 French Open titles during his stunning career, as well as dominating the various other tournaments on the surface.
READ MORE: Whether Rafael Nadal could follow Andy Murray and become a coach on the ATP Tour soon after retiring
Draper is certainly in the early stages of his clay career, but he has already proven himself to be a top competitor on the surface this week alone.
The British number one has already knocked out Tallon Griekspoor and Matteo Berrettini in Madrid, with 11th seed Tommy Paul his latest victim.
He is not, however, interested in analysing his opponents, with Draper explaining that he does not watch other players.
“I have never been someone who is analytical in the slightest,” he said. “Me and my coach will go through a few things around the other player and look at what I am doing as well, but ultimately I just try and do the best to improve on a daily basis and put my game out on the court. I am more focused on what I am doing out there.”
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