'The only question mark is': Seven-time Grand Slam winner highlights interesting factor which will decide Jack Draper's fate at French Open

Former world number one Mats Wilander has highlighted one interesting factor which will decide the fate of Britain’s Jack Draper at the French Open. The 23-year-old is already regarded as one of the best players in the world and has produced some impressive performances in the recent past.

Draper’s most recent outing was at the Rome Open, where his journey ended in the quarterfinals stage as he lost to eventual champion Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4. The London-born star will be the fifth seed in the second Grand Slam of the year, which will begin from May 25 and will feature players from all over the world who will be battling it out to secure the ultimate prize.

Despite being seeded fifth at the Roland Garros, an interesting fact is that Draper has never been able to get past the first round of the mega-event. In 2024, he lost to the Netherlands’ Jesper de Jong in a five-set thriller in the round of 128 with a score of 7-5, 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-3.

Former world number one Wilander has recently spoke to English media outlet Metro where he highlighted that weather will play a big role in deciding the fate of Draper at the Roland Garros. The 60-year-old also praised the 23-year-old, also went on to praise the youngster’s attitude and commitment on the court.

“It depends on the weather for me,” said Wilander. “When it’s hot and dry, he has already proven that’s when he plays his best tennis. At Indian Wells, it was hot and dry with high bouncing. In Madrid, it was hot and it was hot and dry with high bouncing. Then you come to Rome and it’s not – it’s slower and lower bouncing – which is the same conditions Paris will have if we have cold temperatures and there’s moisture in the air. Then suddenly, we don’t know how Draper is going to fare. Is he aggressive enough to win those matches? Can he play defence well enough to win those matches? The only question mark is how will he do if the weather is not the same as where he’s done well. He’s 10/10 in terms of improvement and attitude. Everything he’s doing on and off the court, and the way he behaves on the court, is that of a top player. He doesn’t have any downfalls when it comes to the mentality, the approach to the match or every single point. It’s always full-on no matter what the score is and that’s what the best players in the world do.”