On the Challenger occasion in Bergamo final October, Draper had simply crept again contained in the world’s high 100 – an essential marker on the skilled excursions and the gateway for direct entry into the Grand Slam occasions.
He was lamenting the “brutal” nature of a sport the place he had began residing as much as his potential solely to endure one other setback with a shoulder harm.
“I used to be 40 on the earth, I received injured and my rating utterly dropped. I used to be again enjoying Challengers and I felt indignant,” stated Draper.
“However I knew if I might get my physique and my thoughts in an excellent place, my tennis is nice sufficient to compete with the very best gamers on the earth.”
This 12 months, he has demonstrated that by:
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profitable a primary ATP Tour title – a 250 occasion in Stuttgart
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reaching a maiden Grand Slam semi-final, within the US Open
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cracking the highest 20 of the ATP world rankings
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turning into solely the fourth British man since 2009 to win an ATP 500 title
“It has been a protracted 12 months with plenty of ups and downs,” stated Draper.
“However profitable my first title, then the US Open, have been enormous in actually believing that I belong.
“It has been a snowball impact since then.”