Jack Draper: Brit can compete with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz but he needs his body to respond, says Juan Martin del Potro
Juan Martin del Potro backs Jack Draper to compete with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz with the British star set to compete at the Mutua Madrid Open; Watch the event live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app
Friday 17 April 2026 18:22, UK
Former Grand Slam champion Juan Martin del Potro has backed Jack Draper to compete with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz but admits he needs "confidence in his body".
Draper has been tipped as a future Grand Slam contender but the real journey for the British star is about consistency, fitness, and handling expectations on the biggest stages, according to Del Potro - the 2009 US Open champion.
The former world No 3 and Davis Cup champion with Argentina was plagued by wrist and knee injuries throughout his career before hanging up his racket in 2022.
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Draper vowed to "work my way out of this" in a candid social media message following his mid-match retirement at the Barcelona Open.
The former world No 4, who is currently ranked 28th, returned to competition in February after almost six months out of action due to a bone stress injury in his left arm.
He defeated Novak Djokovic as he made an impressive run to the quarter-finals in his Indian Wells title defence, and then suffered a straight-set loss to Reilly Opelka at the Miami Open.
After missing the Monte-Carlo Masters, Draper retired in the deciding set of his clash against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open with the 24-year-old scheduled to play at the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica from April 21 to May 3 - live on Sky Sports Tennis.
"Well, as a lefty player, he has an advantage over the rest of the players," said Del Potro, who lost to Andy Murray in a compelling Olympic men's singles final in 2016.
"Draper is a talented player as well, but sometimes the body could be the worst thing in your career, as has happened with me, but he's trying to get confidence in his body.
"He has the tennis to play well, but sometimes you need your body to respond to the highest intensity of the matches and tournaments every week, but I think British tennis is in good hands."
Draper has also battled anxiety issues on court, with the player suffering bouts of sickness as well as injuries to his hip, knee and arm.
He will hope to return to Madrid, one year on from his run to the final - his first ATP Masters 1000 final on clay and despite finishing runner-up to Casper Ruud in three sets, Draper showed he has the game to play on the red dirt.
"Well, for me, I think injuries was the worst part of my career," admitted Del Potro, nicknamed 'The Tower of Tandil'.
"I had to deal with my injuries during many, many years but I still preferred to play against 'The Big Three' [Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic] every day.
"Injuries are part of our sport. If you are an athlete, you have to know that the injuries will come anytime and that's why you have to create a perfect team, not only a tennis coach, you need a physical trainer, a physio, a mental coach as well, and when the bad moments come, the faster that you can get out of it, the better."
Brits in action
British No 1 Cam Norrie has enjoyed some strong results so far this year, including a quarter-final in Indian Wells and reaching the third round of the Australian Open.
Emma Raducanu is also scheduled to make her return from illness at this year's WTA 1000 event in Madrid, which will be her first match since losing to Amanada Anisimova in the third round of Indian Wells.
Katie Boulter completes the main draw entry list for the Brits after Sonay Kartal was forced to withdraw due to injury.
When and where is the Madrid Open?
The Madrid Open will take place over a two-week period with the main draw action getting underway on Tuesday April 21 - live on Sky Sports Tennis.
The women's singles final will be staged on Saturday May 2, with the men's singles final taking place the following day on Sunday May 3.
Day sessions at the Madrid Open will start at 9am, with the night sessions beginning at 5.30pm.
This year, there will also be a clay court installed at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium - the home of Real Madrid - from April 23-30.
The biggest stars will be able to practise here throughout the week to replicate the conditions at the La Caja Magica.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
