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Jack Draper says there is a British player ranked outside the top 50 who is going to be ‘one of the best players in the world’

Jack Draper salutes the fans at the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters, inset Jacob Fearnley serves at Wimbledon in 2024
Credit: Mateo Villalba/Getty Images
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Jack Draper continues to shine in 2025, with the British number one now into the third round of the Madrid Open.

Draper is the fifth seed at the Madrid Open, where he beat Tallon Griekspoor in round two after a first round bye.

The 23-year-old is currently chasing a fourth career ATP Tour title after his Indian Wells success, and is currently ranked in a career-high of six in the world.

Draper doesn’t want to be compared to Rafael Nadal, who retired from tennis at the end of 2024 with 20 Grand Slam titles to his name.

The Briton reached the semi-finals of the US Open last year, but his current focus is on the ATP Masters 1000 event ongoing in Madrid.

Jack Draper poses with the Indian Wells trophy after beating Holger Rune in the 2025 final
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Jack Draper says Jacob Fearnley can be ‘one of the best players in the world’

But he isn’t the only British player impressing at the tournament, with both Jacob Fearnley and Cam Norrie joining him in the round of 32.

Sharing his take on the current scene in British men’s tennis, Draper told Sky Sports Tennis: “Cam obviously had an injury last year so to see him coming back is great.

READ MORE: Jack Draper’s chances at the French Open have been rated by two-time junior Grand Slam champion

“And Jacob, someone my age, incredible player. The British public don’t really know much about him yet but he’s going to be, I think, one of the best players in the world.

“Cam’s been up there too and he can do that as well, so I think it’s really exciting for British tennis and good healthy competition for us three.”

Jack Draper says how he feels playing on clay after winning his Madrid Open opener

World number 91 Norrie beat Martin Landaluce in his opener in the Spanish capital, before knocking out 26th seed Jiri Lehecka.

Fearnley meanwhile, who is ranked in a career-high 68th, has beaten Yunchaokete Bu and 19th seed Tomas Machac so far.

READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios says how the Australian Open crowd treated him during his first round loss to Jacob Fearnley

He has made it through qualifying to now earn a clash with 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov, with former British number one Norrie now taking on Gabriel Diallo.

And Draper continues his quest for success against Matteo Berrettini, who is the Madrid Open 30th seed.

Speaking after his opening victory in Spain, the British number one said: “I am still relatively new to the clay.

“I used my forehand really well, my backhand was solid. Everything was ticking over nicely. Obviously I am in a different position now and that feels great.

“But in tennis you’ve got to forget about the last week, the last two weeks, you’ve got to prove yourself today.

“I don’t really think about that, I just try to keep working hard, listening to my coach, doing all the right things.”