Draper Triumphs in Comeback, Credits Hard Work and Perseverance

Jack Draper has made a remarkable comeback in tennis, crediting his “hard work and perseverance” after a stunning victory at the Davis Cup held in Oslo. The British No. 1 showcased his skills by defeating Norway’s Viktor Durasovic convincingly with a score of 6-2, 6-2. This victory marks an important milestone as Draper aims to move on from an injury-laden year in 2025.

Draper’s Return to Form

Having participated in only one singles match since his exit in the second round of Wimbledon last year, Draper’s performance lasted just over an hour. His win positioned Great Britain at 1-0 in their first-round Davis Cup qualifier.

Reflecting on his triumph, Draper shared, “It’s good to get a match under my belt and get a first point for Great Britain.” This quote emphasizes his dedication, as he remarked on the extensive effort required during his time away from competition.

Match Summary

The 13th-ranked player in the world immediately established dominance over Durasovic, who ranks 300 places lower. Draper broke serve early, taking a 4-1 lead in the first set within just 27 minutes. His confidence shone as he moved ahead with a double break to lead 3-0 in the second set.

• Set Scores: Draper won 6-2 in both sets.
• Match Duration: Just over one hour.
• Durasovic’s World Ranking: 313rd versus Draper’s 13th.

Draper secured the match on his second match point, which is expected to significantly boost his confidence. In previous interviews, he has openly discussed the challenges he faced during his recovery. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to compete… but I’m happy to be back playing again,” he stated.

The Path Ahead

Draper’s journey has not been without its struggles. Last year began dramatically with a historic win at Indian Wells and advanced rounds at both the Australian Open and French Open. However, setbacks due to injury left him with much to prove.

“It’s going to be a challenge and a journey to get back to where I was,” Draper commented, indicating his determination to rise through the ranks again. He is optimistic about improving this year and hopes to showcase his skills soon.

Team Success in Davis Cup

Following Draper’s victory, teammate Cameron Norrie also claimed a win. He defeated world No. 133 Nicolai Budkov Kjaer with a score of 6-4, 6-4, helping Great Britain secure a decisive 2-0 lead in the tie.

Norrie credited Draper’s success for his own performance, noting it provided him with confidence to play freely. He praised Kjaer’s talent, acknowledging that the match was challenging. “I had to play a couple of good points to break [his serve],” Norrie commented, reflecting on the competitive nature of the encounter.

The winning team from this tie will advance to face either Australia or Ecuador in the second round of qualification. With both Draper and Norrie in form, Great Britain appears poised for further success in the tournament.