2026-03-04 11:44:15
Jack Draper is in a “good place” ahead of his Indian Wells title defence.
The British tennis ace explained that he has been “hardened” by the injury setback that scuppered the end of his 2025 season as he prepares to open the defence of his title in California later this week.
Draper told reporters: “This injury has definitely hardened me a fair bit.
“I’ve had certain injuries in the past but when you do so well and when you get to the goal that you finally want to get to, being in a good position, competing for great tournaments and then something like this happens – you definitely start to question yourself and it makes you quite sad in a way.
“But it’s always about how you pick yourself up.
“I always think there’s only one response to any sort of hardship or adversity and that’s to improve and be better for it.
“So, I’m proud that I’m coming here in a good place. Mentally, I feel good. Physically, I’m in good shape.
“I wouldn’t be back if I wasn’t, I’m just so happy to be here and hopefully I can have a great week.”
The British number one spent several months out with a “complex” arm injury at the end of last year and admits that the problem left him “in a hole” mentally.
Draper told Sky Sports: “I’ve really missed competing. It’s been a long time, but I’ve learned a lot of things. It’s been a very difficult injury for me, but it’s good to be back here.
“It’s one thing staying afloat because we’re used to being 100 miles an hour on the road, and then all of that gets taken away from you, the buzz of competing. You’re kind of like in a hole and you need to get yourself out of that hole somehow, especially with a long injury. But that’s where you’ve got to stay strong, you’ve got to keep on going.”
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