Absorbing Animosity and the Demands of Grand Slam Tennis, Jack Draper’s Growth Continues

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday January 15, 2025

Jack Draper is becoming an expert at weathering the Grand Slam storm. Playing in his 11th major, the Brit has cut his teeth in myriad ways over the past four seasons.

He has dealt with the pressure of being a top prospect at Wimbledon, where he is the focal point of the British press during the Wimbledon fortnight, and he has dealt with the animosity that comes from foreign crowds at venues like Roland-Garros, the US Open and the Australian Open.

Last night Draper had to put up with a raucous atmosphere that was decidedly against him as he struggled through five sets with Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis. It’s easy by young players to get rattled by the cacophony, and the derisive cheers and the catcalls between serves, but rather than whine Draper is embracing the experience. It’s part of the reason that he was able to pass muster last night and come through in five…