Throughout his initial seasons as a professional player, Draper has encountered several physical setbacks. A shoulder injury prevented him from competing for approximately ten weeks during the summer of 2023. Additionally, a hip ailment in the preceding December hampered his training regimen for the current season.
He applies considerable physical exertion, notably through his serve and forehand, which are considered his primary strengths. He recognizes the potential advantages of moderating his serve’s intensity.
“It’s somewhat surprising that even when I exert maximum effort on my serve, the statistics and ace counts don’t align with my expectations. Sometimes, reducing the intensity might be beneficial,” he remarked to BBC Sport following his initial victory at the US Open.
“Consider the most proficient servers in tennis history, such as Novak Djokovic, whose serve is often underestimated. He exhibits exceptional precision in placement, despite not consistently serving at 140 miles per hour.”
“They utilize slices, spins, and diverse variations, suggesting the importance of strategic serving. It’s not solely about maximizing serve velocity, but rather optimizing its effectiveness.”
Draper also conceded in New York the potential for an injury of this nature to become considerably severe. By opting to forgo the remainder of the current season, he will experience a minimum of four months devoid of competitive matches.
