What Jack Draper was spotted doing while Casper Ruud was lifting the Madrid Open trophy alone, ‘I am really impressed’

Follow us on Google Discover

Jack Draper was looking to become the first British player to win multiple Masters 1000 titles since Andy Murray.

The British number one picked up his first Masters title at Indian Wells in March, when Draper took down Holger Rune in the final.

Early exits at the next two Masters 1000 tournaments, the Miami Open and Monte-Carlo Masters, followed, before Draper rediscovered his form in Madrid.

Former top-ten stars Matteo Berrettini and Tommy Paul both lost to the 23-year-old in straight sets before Draper beat Lorenzo Musetti to advance to the final.

Coming up short in his bid to win a first career title on clay, Draper was beaten by Casper Ruud in three sets, 5-7, 6-3, 4-6.

The world number six was understandably disappointed with such a tough defeat, but received praise from his fellow Brit after the match for how he conducted himself.

Colin Fleming is ‘really impressed’ with how Jack Draper handled himself after defeat to Casper Ruud

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, former doubles star Colin Fleming shared his thoughts on how Draper reacted to defeat.

“I am really impressed with the way Jack Draper is handling this,” he said.

“We are getting shots of [Casper] Ruud here with the trophy, but Draper is still on court here, he is signing autographs, he is not shying away from the moment.

“I thought he spoke so well. That is the character that he is. He won’t, perhaps, feel it right now, but he will be a better player for this match.”

Fleming went on to give his verdict on the match, saying Draper will have learnt an important ‘lesson’ during his Madrid Open final defeat.

“The experience that he has had, I am sure he will look back on 5-4 at the first set and think that is a lesson to learn and I have to keep firing and go for it,” he said.

“If I back off at this elite level, how quickly things can turn.

“He should be so proud of his efforts to hold on at the start of the second and then dominate at the end to get into a third.

“Just the energy levels dipped slightly. He is just not quite as strong physically as someone like Ruud in a two and a half hour battle on clay, but that will come.

“He is getting better. He is better than he was six or 12 months ago.

“He is a serious force.”

Establishing himself as a real ‘force’ at clay court events, Draper’s ATP Tour rivals will be wary of coming up against him at the upcoming Italian Open and French Open tournaments.

Boris Becker posts social media reaction to Casper Ruud’s Madrid Open win over Jack Draper

Taking to social media, former world number one Boris Becker praised both players for their efforts in Madrid.

“Casper [Ruud] did it,” he said.

“Holding his nerve playing a perfect last game and deservingly winning the Madrid Open, but also paying my respect to Jack Draper, reaching the final playing scintillating tennis on his least favorite surface.

“Well done guys.”

Becker wasn’t the only former player to comment on the final, as six-time Grand Slam doubles champion Rennae Stubbs was also quick to congratulate the Norwegian.

“Huge congratulations to Casper,” she said.

“Wow, Terrific match. After a tough year for his standards, this is a statement.

“French Open runner-up twice. Look out again for him in Paris.”

The 26-year-old has appeared in three Grand Slam finals during his career to date, two of which came in the French capital.

Holding an impressive 23-7 (77%) record at Roland Garros, Ruud will certainly be one to look out for when the tournament begins on Sunday, May 25.

Casper Ruud becomes first Norwegian to win a Masters 1000 title

Making history with his win in Madrid, Ruud became the first player from his country, Norway, to win a Masters 1000 title.

Hailing from a nation with limited tennis history, Ruud is one of just three Norwegian players ranked inside the ATP top 1,000.

• Casper Ruud – #15
• Viktor Durasovic – #243
• Nicolai Budkov Kjaer – #305

Many are, however, tipping 18-year-old Nicolai Budkov Kjaer to achieve great things in the sport, after watching him push Argentinian star Tomas Martin Etcheverry all the way in the Davis Cup earlier this year.

It remains to be seen if either Budkov Kjaer or Ruud can join Molla Bjurstedt Mallory as Norwegian Grand Slam champions, but it will certainly be something to look out for.

Ruud will return to action in Rome next week, while Budkov Kjaer sets off to Prague for a Challenger Tour event.