Deep in the second set of his Vienna Open final against Karen Khachanov, the complexion of the contest had dramatically changed. For more than an hour, Draper had been flawless, winners streaming from his racket as he methodically compiled a 6-4, 4-0 lead. But then he hit a wall. Five games later, Khachanov, tenacious as ever, stood two points from forcing a final set.
Down 4-5, 15-30 in set two, Draper landed a sliding lefty first serve out wide before forcing himself inside the baseline and eventually ending an ultra-attacking point with a sweet angled crosscourt backhand winner. He then closed out one of the most significant service games of his career so far with more first serves and more relentless aggression, wrestling the momentum back in his favour and eventually winning his first ATP 500 title.
Throughout his stellar week in Vienna, Draper was fearless under pressure in the important moments, a stark contrast to the start of the season when so many of his matches ended with excruciating 6-7 or 5-7 final set losses.
“I think that’s confidence, playing lots of matches, maybe understanding what I must do in those moments a bit more and not panic,” said Draper in an interview with the Guardian in Paris, where his Paris Masters campaign begins on Tuesday. “Obviously, at the highest level, it’s a matter of here and there. The best players in the world, they only win 53% of the points. So it’s what you do on big ones that matters. I think I’m still trying to get better at it, but in general, it’s getting better, and I think it’s shown in my results, especially in the closing matches.”
Throughout this year, Draper’s confidence has been bolstered by his overall improvements. His greater fitness has allowed him to remain on court all season and continue his physical development, improving his already excellent movement. It is now so difficult for opponents to consistently put the ball past him.
Draper’s determination to become a more offensive player has been another pillar of his success. His more defensive instincts run deep and it has taken time for him to embrace taking control of matches on the biggest points, particularly with his forehand, rather than allowing his opponents to decide the outcome of his matches.
Perhaps the most significant development in Vienna, however, was Draper’s serve. At its best, his lefty first serve is a devastating, versatile weapon that ranks fourth on the tour for first serve points won, with 78.6% of points won this year. But Draper has struggled with his first serve consistency at times this year – his first serve percentage of 59.1% ranks just 71st on the ATP Tour. Even at the US Open, Draper’s first serve percentage fell under 50% in half of his six matches.
Earlier in the year, Draper unsuccessfully attempted to address his first serve inconsistencies by adjusting his service motion, particularly the positioning of his feet in his stance. But work on his ball toss has allowed him to find greater rhythm. In Vienna, Draper landed 69% of first serves in, winning 80% of points behind them. In so many of the important moments, including as he snatched the momentum back deep in the second set against Khachanov, his first serve was key.
While Draper’s run to the US Open semi-final was a significant achievement itself, it was equally important for him to maintain his momentum and consistently perform at a high level. He has shown that he possesses the weapons, the athleticism and mental fortitude to defeat all of the best players in the world and he continues to improve.
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“I think winning my first title in Stuttgart was the one that really helped set me,” says Draper. “I felt like that was hanging over my head a little bit. And then as soon as that happened, I’ve definitely felt much calmer in myself, and I think that’s helped me to sort of go from strength to strength.
“Obviously, the US Open again was a big confidence boost. But in general, I’ve just been pretty level. I’ve been pretty calm, keeping on doing what I’m doing. I think tennis is all about doing the basics well, and I think I’m doing the basics better and better with higher quality. And that’s helping my tennis. It’s nothing special. It’s just good, good work that I’m doing on court in the gym, everything’s starting to come together.”
Just a few hours after he left the court, Draper took an evening flight to Paris and by 5pm on Monday he was on the practice courts in Bercy to prepare for his first round match against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, another talented 22-year-old with massive weapons. An extremely tough challenge awaits. He will begin in Paris hoping for an appropriate climax to a deeply impressive breakthrough year, but also with the understanding that, however his season ends, there is no doubt that he has finally arrived.