'The biggest thing was staying healthy': Tommy Paul’s coach analyses Jack Draper’s path to success

Tommy Paul’s coach, Brad Stine, analysed the key factor behind Jack Draper’s title run at Indian Wells. Draper claimed his first Masters 1000 title last Sunday after defeating Holger Rune in the final (6-2, 6-2). The Brit had a flawless run, beating top players like Taylor Fritz (No. 4), Ben Shelton (No. 12), and Carlos Alcaraz (No. 3).

The 23-year-old reached a career-high ranking of World No. 6 on Monday and is now seen as a contender for major titles. Draper had long been considered one of the most promising young talents on Tour, but injuries held him back from making a definitive breakthrough.

In 2022, he ended the year ranked No. 42 at just 21 years old, after a remarkable rise from outside the top 250. His rapid ascent drew comparisons with players like Alcaraz, Rune, and Sinner, yet it took him longer to make the leap.

A strong 2024 saw Draper win his first two titles — the ATP 250 Stuttgart Open, where he defeated Matteo Berrettini, and the ATP 500 Vienna Open, overcoming Karen Khachanov. He also reached the Adelaide International final, falling to Jiri Lehecka. However, injuries continued to disrupt his progress.

Paul’s coach, Brad Stine, pointed out that Draper’s improved fitness was crucial to taking his game to the next level: “I have been on the Draper train as far as respect for him and the level he is capable of playing for quite a while,” he said. “I think the biggest thing in the first few years he was on tour was staying healthy.”

“He had some cramping issues, he had injury issues, he just wasn’t able to really build a rhythm,” he added.

“He would have some good results and then something would happen and he wouldn’t be able to play for a month or two so it kept him back in the wings a little bit, where people knew he was a good player but he wasn’t necessarily in the forefront of their mind.”

Stine has closely followed Draper’s progress, as Paul has faced the Brit four times in 2024 — more than any other player. “We have known Jack has been a really dangerous player for a while because he has been a little bit of a thorn in Tommy’s side,” he said.

So far, Paul leads their head-to-head 3-2 (including their 2023 Adelaide clash), with matches on both hard and grass courts. “We got him a couple of times at the Australian Open and at Queen’s last year, Tommy ended up winning Queen’s, that was a huge match to get past Jack on the grass but we know how dangerous he is.”

Another key element in Draper’s rise has been the work of his coach, James Trotman, whom Stine described as 'a super nice guy': “From a personality standpoint and presentation I really like James. He is very calm, very relaxed, under control kind of guy both in the stands and off the court as well.”

“We have practiced a few times with them and I think it’s always interesting out here on the tour because as coaches you don’t really know exactly what coaches do on the court with their players, because you are not there,” he added. “We don’t see what coaches actually do on a day to day basis.”