Surrey's Jack Draper matches Rafael Nadal feat as he replaces Novak Djokovic in ATP top five after Madrid Open run

British number one Draper, followed up his Indian Wells title by reaching another Masters 1000 final in Madrid on Sunday (May 4).

The 23-year-old reached his first clay-court final without dropping a set – but fell just short against Norway’s Casper Ruud in an enthralling three-set match.

It was a heartbreaking end to a stunning week, which saw Draper become a top five player for the first time.

The Sutton-born leftie has overtaken Novak Djokovic, and is now only behind Taylor Fritz, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner in the ATP rankings.

In an interview with the Tennis Channel, Draper was asked if reaching the top five was a goal he set for himself.

"No, no, I haven't really thought about that too much,” he responded.

"Obviously, I knew there was a chance that I could do that but, to be honest, I've just been keeping my head down, working hard, doing all the right things, never getting too high or too low.

"I know that, each day you have to prove yourself again and so it feels amazing, obviously, to be in that position but my mindset is like I always want more.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, Draper admitted that Ruud, 26, was ‘braver in the key moments’ during the Madrid final.

Draper, who had never previously been beyond the quarter-finals of an event on the surface, added: "This loss hurts.

"This sport is brutal, but I think this loss is going to make me better."

Draper has perfectly navigated his rapid rise in the world rankings, according to former British number one Andrew Castle.

Partnered with a semi-final appearance at the 2024 US Open and a Stuttgart victory on the ATP Tour, Draper was crowned 2025 male Player of the Year at the LTA Tennis Awards, presented by Lexus for his efforts across 2024.

And having now cemented himself as one of the most exciting British tennis players to watch, Castle believes that it has been a rise made possible by a blend of natural gifts and determination.

"I've known Jack since he was a whippersnapper and now he's very much not," he said.

"I still have people coming up to me, those casual sport observers and asking if he's going to 'make it'. I mean he's already done that and he's not just made it, he's bolted.

"But it all happened so quickly for him. Technically he's gifted but physically he's worked on exactly what he needs to.

"James Trotman his coach has done an unbelievable job getting him to where he needs to be now."

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