'People get very paranoid about hitting with a lefty': Jack Draper turns unwanted warm-ups into major threat

Jack Draper discussed the "advantage" of being a left-hander on the ATP Tour, despite the greater difficulties it creates in finding hitting partners. The world No. 5 arrives at Roland Garros as one of the favorites, following a strong clay-court swing and in the midst of the best moment of his career.

There aren't many left-handed players on Tour, and Draper is the highest-ranked among them. Only 12 players in the top 100 play with their left hand, including Ben Shelton, Denis Shapovalov, Ugo Humbert, and Alejandro Tabilo. "People get very paranoid about hitting with someone who is a lefty if they’re playing a righty," stated Draper in a press conference before the French Open. "I do understand it. It’s probably not what you’re going to face."

Although many believe lefties have an advantage over other players due to their grip type and the angles they can achieve, they remain a minority on Tour. Draper is actually naturally right-handed, but he made a decision early in his junior career to play with his left hand to gain advantages – just as Rafael Nadal did. "My biggest strength is probably the fact that I am naturally right-handed."

"My backhand is a shot which I’ve always been really confident on. So when right-handers go into my backhand, as well, it feels like a great shot for me," he added. "I think I’ve got kind of the best of both worlds almost. I always say people say it’s an advantage. Still trying to figure one out, I suppose."

Left-handed forehands naturally aim at the opponent's backhand in cross-court exchanges. When facing a right-handed opponent, deuce points are played to the opponent's forehand, while when the score is 'advantage,' the lefty plays from their forehand side towards their opponent's backhand – typically a weaker shot for the vast majority of players.

"I don’t care who I hit with. If I’m getting that ball in front of me, I’m able to hit, get in the groove, it doesn’t really matter," Jack Draper added. "Maybe that’s just the mentality I’ve grown up with the fact that not many people want to hit with lefties before tournaments and stuff."

"But yeah, whoever is playing (Ben) Shelton or (Denis) Shapovalov or someone like that, I know they’ll be asking me for practice. I’m all good."

Draper is set to debut in the first round of the French Open this Monday against Italy's Mattia Bellucci, another left-hander, though with much less experience than Draper. The Italian currently holds the world No. 68 ranking and has only recorded one Grand Slam main draw win, back in the 2024 US Open.

Start time (local): Mon, 26 May, 11:00 AM

Start time (your time): Mon, 26 May, 5:00 PM

Tournament: Roland Garros

Round: Round of 128