Jack Draper overtakes Novak Djokovic and emulates Rafael Nadal as Brit No.1 achieves career first
Jack Draper will be in the top five of the ATP rankings for the first time in his career on Monday. The British number one confirmed he will leapfrog Novak Djokovic after reaching the semi-finals of the Madrid Open. Draper has reached the top five in the ATP rankings for the first time in his careerGetty The British number one will leapfrog Djokovic in the rankings on MondayGetty Draper beat Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 6-0, 6-4 in their last eight encounter on Thursday. The fifth seed will now face either Lorenzo Musetti or Gabriel Diallo on Friday for a place in the final. By beating Arnaldi, Draper has ensured he will be at least fifth in the latest ATP rankings. As well as overtaking Djokovic, he has also equalled a feat previously achieved by another tennis great. Draper is only the second left-handed player to be ranked in the top five this century. He follows in the footsteps of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. It is 20 years since the former world number first entered the top five back in May 2005. Nadal would not leave the top five positions on the rankings for the next decade. Reflecting on his win over Arnaldi, Draper told Sky Sports: “I feel stronger every time I play. “Against these guys I used to feel like I would be the one on the back foot, the one defending, so the next part of my game was getting capable physically to do the things I know I can do and bully these guys. Nadal is the only other left-handed player to reach the top five this centuryGetty Draper is into the semi-finals of the Madrid Open after a straight sets victoryGetty “I have been doing everything in all areas pretty well and am excited to keep on going. Hopefully it keeps coming together. “You see guys like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have no fear and so I just want to go after it, I suppose. “My forehand is doing a lot of damage and I want to keep it up. “I know I can win any match and lose any match. I am fearful I could lose but that helps me compete the way I do.” Draper’s ascension to the top five is the latest achievement in an already impressive year for the Brit. The 23-year-old won his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Indian Wells Open back in March. After reaching the final, he saw off Denmark’s Holger Rune to clinch the title. Draper could add another such victory this weekend, with either Francisco Cerundolo or Casper Ruud waiting if he makes the final.
Jack Draper will be in the top five of the ATP rankings for the first time in his career on Monday.
The British number one confirmed he will leapfrog Novak Djokovic after reaching the semi-finals of the Madrid Open.
Draper beat Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 6-0, 6-4 in their last eight encounter on Thursday.
The fifth seed will now face either Lorenzo Musetti or Gabriel Diallo on Friday for a place in the final.
By beating Arnaldi, Draper has ensured he will be at least fifth in the latest ATP rankings.
As well as overtaking Djokovic, he has also equalled a feat previously achieved by another tennis great.
Draper is only the second left-handed player to be ranked in the top five this century.
He follows in the footsteps of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
It is 20 years since the former world number first entered the top five back in May 2005.
Nadal would not leave the top five positions on the rankings for the next decade.
Reflecting on his win over Arnaldi, Draper told Sky Sports: “I feel stronger every time I play.
“Against these guys I used to feel like I would be the one on the back foot, the one defending, so the next part of my game was getting capable physically to do the things I know I can do and bully these guys.
“I have been doing everything in all areas pretty well and am excited to keep on going. Hopefully it keeps coming together.
“You see guys like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have no fear and so I just want to go after it, I suppose.
“My forehand is doing a lot of damage and I want to keep it up.
“I know I can win any match and lose any match. I am fearful I could lose but that helps me compete the way I do.”
Draper’s ascension to the top five is the latest achievement in an already impressive year for the Brit.
The 23-year-old won his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Indian Wells Open back in March.
After reaching the final, he saw off Denmark’s Holger Rune to clinch the title.
Draper could add another such victory this weekend, with either Francisco Cerundolo or Casper Ruud waiting if he makes the final.
