“It’s going to be an amazing feeling” – Jack Draper prepares for Davis Cup return against Norway
• 3 minute read
Great Britain’s tie against Norway is one of the most intriguing ties of this year’s Davis Cup Qualifiers, in many ways because of the potential return of British No.1 Jack Draper.
24-year-old Draper has been battling with an arm injury since Wimbledon back in July and has only played one singles match since, at the US Open.
After months on the sidelines, Draper announced that he would be making his return to match court whilst representing his country at the Davis Cup.
Now hopefully with the injuries behind him, Draper can’t wait to get back to doing what he loves most – competing.
“It’s been a long time since I've been able to compete, but I've stayed in a good place,” Draper said before heading out with the team to Oslo. “It's been tricky, lots of tough times, but that's the sport I signed up for. You’re always learning, always growing. I’m happy to be back playing again.
“I just missed the buzz of competing, to be honest. I missed the thrill of playing in front of people, against great players and that winning feeling you can't replicate in training. It's going to feel great to get back out there again.
“Just being a part of that team environment is very special for me. I care about my country a lot. I love playing for Great Britain and to be around the other boys. It’s just going to be an amazing feeling once again.”
Before his injury, Draper had positioned himself as one of the best players in the world – challenging for the biggest titles the game has to offer.
After reaching the US Open semi-final in September 2024, Draper went on an impressive run at the start of the season with career-best runs at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, winning his biggest title in Indian Wells, making another final in Madrid and reaching a career-high of world No.4.
As he makes his long anticipated return to competitive action, Draper is aware of the journey ahead but is confident of reaching the same heights and pushing on further in the future.
“I think last year definitely started off amazingly well,” he said. “The second half was extremely challenging, but I took a lot of belief and confidence from the first half of the year and what I achieved. I’ve kept that in mind and I want to be competing right at the top of the game.
“It's going to be a bit of a challenge and a journey to get back to where I was, just because I've been out for such a long time. At the same time I'm constantly getting better and I'm constantly improving still. I hope I get to show that sooner more than later.”
Draper will be joining up with the Lexus GB Davis Cup team for the first time since competing at the Finals Group Stage back in 2024.
He joins what is on paper, Great Britain’s strongest side, with British No.2 and No.3 singles players Cam Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, as well as last year’s No.1 ranked doubles team in the world, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.
For Draper and Fearnley, having risen through the ranks together as juniors, it’s a full circle moment to be representing Great Britain together on the world stage.
“It’s going to be special being around Jacob again, because we grew up together, we played Winter Cup, Summer Cup for Great Britain, and there are many pictures of us together when we were so young,” Draper said.
“Jacob and I were like very close friends growing up and then I went pro pretty early and he went to college. A lot of the players now from the UK have come out of college and are playing really well and he's one of those. We kind of lost contact for a while, but we always remained really good friends.
“Being together with him will be extra special, but also the other boys as well. Julian, Cam, Lloyd, it’s just going to be a really great team environment.”
In the build up to the tie, Draper has been at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, preparing himself for the tough challenge ahead.
The British star is excited to be back amongst the team but knows full well the threat this Norwegian side can pose.
“I've always been training here at the NTC since I was young, so I know all the coaches at the LTA and I think it's a special environment.
“It's (the Davis Cup) like we're taking that on the road. I think that's the main thing I’m looking forward to, being a part of the team and all the amazing people that are in it.
“I’m expecting them to play amazing. They've obviously got a young player, (Nicolai Budkov) Kjaer, who was No.1 in the world juniors and playing great tennis on the tour. He'll be really tough and we all know Casper Ruud has been a top 10 player for a long time.
“It's going to be a great challenge for us all, but I think we're ready to embrace it and we're ready to fight for every point.”
Great Britain will face Norway in the Davis Cup Qualifiers First Round on 5-6 February. You can watch the action live on the Tennis Channel or on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
