Jack Draper hails Novak Djokovic as greatest; jack draper explains why

jack draper said Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time following Djokovic’s run to the 2026 Australian Open final, and the comments arrive as Draper works his way back from a complex left-arm injury ahead of his return to tour competition.

Jack Draper on Djokovic's longevity

In public comments, Jack Draper praised Djokovic as an example of "true greatness" and a "proper inspiration, " pointing to the Serbian’s recent surge at the Australian Open. Djokovic reached his 11th Australian Open final and his 38th Grand Slam championship match, extended records that Draper highlighted when explaining why he views Djokovic as the sport’s greatest. Draper referenced Djokovic’s longevity on tour and specific milestone numbers when describing what he finds inspiring about the Serbian’s career.

Those milestones included Djokovic becoming the oldest Australian Open finalist at 38 years and 255 days and being the oldest Grand Slam finalist since 1974. Draper also noted Djokovic’s recent match wins in Melbourne: a five-set semi-final victory over a top-ranked opponent and a four-set loss in the final.

jack draper on his comeback

jack draper is returning from a prolonged left-arm issue that has kept him away from full tour play. He described the injury as complex and said he had been through a long recovery process before making a brief competitive return in a team tie, where he won his only match 6-2, 6-2. Draper said he remains "at the very end" of that recovery process and that while it is difficult to say if he is fully pain-free, he believes he will be able to "play full out and play week after week. "

On adjustments made during recovery, Draper said his off-court habits have shifted: more sleep, better recovery practices and a greater appreciation for the value of his body. He emphasized learning to slow down and treat his career as a long-term project, calling it "a marathon, not a sprint. "

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Draper’s return to tour competition is timed with an early-season hard-court event where he will begin his campaign following the layoff. He has publicly said he is motivated simply to compete again and that debuting at this tournament makes him "very happy" on a personal level. The road ahead includes managing match loads and a schedule that will test whether his recovery habits translate into consistent weekly play.

On the broader picture, Draper framed Djokovic’s continued success as inspiration for players at all stages: the example of extended peak performance and professional longevity is a practical benchmark for those recovering from injury or rebuilding form. Draper’s immediate priorities are to manage his fitness through smaller events and then tackle higher-stakes tournaments when his body allows.

Key takeaways

• Jack Draper called Novak Djokovic the greatest, citing longevity and recent Australian Open milestones.
• Draper is returning from a complex left-arm injury and says he is near the end of his recovery process.
• He plans to resume regular tour competition and has adjusted recovery habits to support sustained play.