Jack Draper is searching for his second Masters 1000 win of the season and his first on clay.
The British number one is playing the best tennis of his life this year and will make his debut in the ATP Tour’s top five next week.
Draper won Indian Wells in March and has rediscovered that Masters 1000 form in the Spanish capital, securing several impressive victories.
After taking down Tallon Griekspoor and Matteo Berrettini in his opening two matches, Draper dismantled Tommy Paul, 6-2, 6-2, to book his place in the quarterfinals.
There, Draper beat Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets, advancing to his first career clay-court semi-final.
After the match, the 23-year-old shared his honest thoughts on the atmosphere at this year’s Madrid Open tournament.
Jack Draper says the atmosphere outside the courts in Madrid is ‘quiet’ but describes the energy as ‘incredible’
Speaking after his latest victory, Draper gave his verdict on the atmosphere in Spain.
“The energy here is incredible,” he said.
“It’s weird, when you are outside the court it is a bit quiet. But then when you get out here you can really feel the energy of the crowd.
“They have a great culture for tennis here in Spain, they love it, so that is really nice to be a part of and the players thrive off that, I am sure.”
Draper had won just two matches on his two previous visits to Madrid before taking his game to another level in 2025.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 2025 Madrid Open | QF | Matteo Arnaldi | Win | 6-0, 6-4 |
| 2025 Madrid Open | 4R | Tommy Paul | Win | 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2025 Madrid Open | 3R | Matteo Berrettini | Win | 7-6 (RET) |
| 2025 Madrid Open | 2R | Tallon Griekspoor | Win | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2024 Madrid Open | 2R | Hubert Hurkacz | Loss | 1-6, 5-7 |
| 2024 Madrid Open | 1R | Thanasi Kokkinakis | Win | 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 |
| 2022 Madrid Open | 2R | Andrey Rublev | Loss | 6-2, 4-6, 5-7 |
| 2022 Madrid Open | 1R | Lorenzo Sonego | Win | 6-4, 6-3 |
The Brit now holds a record of 6-2 (75%) in Madrid, making the event one of his most succesful at Masters 1000 level.
- 1. Indian Wells, 9-2 (82%)
- 2. Madrid Open, 8-2 (75%)
- 3. Cincinnati Open 3-1 (75%)
His win over American star Paul was arguably his most impressive, as he dominated the number 11 seed, dropping just four games throughout.
Having shown such good form in the early rounds, you’d expect Draper to be full of confidence ahead of his semi-final match, although that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Jack Draper admits he’s ‘fearful and doubtful’ before every match on the ATP Tour
Of the four players remaining in the competition, Draper is the highest seed (5), and is many fans’ favorite to win this year’s Madrid Open.
When asked whether he’d noticed the draw open up, the world number six said he tries to take each match as it comes.
“I don’t really think ahead,” he said.
“I know who I am supposed to be playing potentially, but at this level I know I can lose any match and win any match.
“That is my mindset anyway, so I go out there every time and I try and play the best I can.”
Draper then admitted he is ‘fearful’ of losing before his matches on the ATP Tour.
“Obviously I am fearful and doubtful and I am thinking there is a chance I could lose, but that helps me to compete the way I do, that fear,” he said.
“So I look forward to whoever I play next, that is for certain.”
Next up for Draper is Lorenzo Musetti, who beat Canadian Lucky Loser Gabriel Diallo in his quarterfinal match.
The Italian has proved himself as one of the best clay court players in the men’s game this year, winning ten of his 11 matches on the surface.
His only defeat came in the principality, as Musetti lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters, having led by a set to love.
As the two highest-ranked players left in the competition, one of Draper (6) and Musetti (11) is expected to lift the trophy on Sunday, but that’s not to say the other two semi-finalists should be overlooked.
Both Francisco Cerundolo and Casper Ruud have serious clay-court pedigrees, with the former winning 16 matches on the surface in 2025, the most of any player on the ATP Tour.
On the other side of the net, Ruud has reached two of the last three French Open finals and has picked up 11 titles on clay.
Either player would provide a real challenge for Musetti or Draper in Sunday’s final, as all four players look to win their first clay Masters 1000 title.
It remains to be seen who will come out victorious in Madrid, but it’ll certainly be interesting to see who rises to the top.
The 2025 Madrid Open semi-finals will take place on Friday, May 2.
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