Many in British tennis circles have known for a long time that Draper had the talent to earn a spot among the world’s best.
Glimpses of his raw ability were apparent when he reached the Wimbledon boys’ final in 2018.
Taking a set off Novak Djokovic on his Wimbledon debut as a teenager in 2021 made even more people take notice.
Then the 2022 and 2023 seasons were blighted by the physical issues which hampered Draper’s progress.
On the back of a series of injuries and mid-match retirements, a shoulder problem ended his French Open campaign last year – leading to Draper lamenting being “the guy who’s injured a lot”.
It also ruled him out of the entire British grass-court season.
“My body was just made of glass at that point,” reflected Draper, who was ranked 123rd at last year’s US Open.
Now fit and injury-free, he is enjoying the fruits of hard labour building up his body.
Starting to work again with fitness trainer Steve Kotze, who Draper describes as “one of the best in the world”, has been a catalyst.
Physio Will Herbert, the man known as “The Mechanic” by Emma Raducanu for his work during her fairytale run to the 2021 US Open title, is another key member of Draper’s team.
Becoming more robust has to led to that first ATP title in Stuttgart, which he followed by beating Alcaraz at Queen’s, before this breakout run in New York.
“He’s a great human being, he’s had his tough times, was making progress and then something would happen – that was tough to take for him,” said British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith.
“He’s very ambitious and absolutely loves the sport.
“Now for the first time he’s had a period of time where’s been able to have a run at it.”
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