I too am bullish on Draper, but I am particularly eager to hear your analysis on the Swiss Ondoor title win by Perricard over Sheldon. GMP looks like a future Grand Slam winner to me, long overdue for the French fans. He has per ATP "Shot Quality Insights" for the 2024 season, the number 1 serve on the ATP. After watching him vs Sheldon, I would say no doubt about that. The rest of his game looks particularly sound also, particularly for such a big guy at 6'8".
The serve is ridiculous. Incredible action: low toss, quick arm. And at 6'8'' like you mentioned, the angles and speed are just nasty on an indoor hardcourt. None of Duckworth, FAA, Shapo, Rune, Shelton, have a particularly strong return-game record statistically in 2024, but at 21 he has good net instincts, solid movement, and can crack it from both wings. Dangerous on anything quick and Wimbledon is the obvious possible deep run I think, which he has already shown.
Great analysis as always. Just on the mental side I thought it was evident that Draper started thinking “don’t blow it, don’t blow it” when he got to 4-0, and started pushing the backhand and rushing the points. But then he regrouped, which is a big plus - being able to reset is such a big part of not losing.
Yes he lost his aggression a bit, and seemed to go back to playing crosscourt more often, and Khachanov started to be the one playing more aggressively and changing direction!
It’s funny how you can tell when a player will be good. Draper finally provides a contrast. A lefty attacking player. I have been reading Phil Jackson’s 11 rings. He’s a big believer in the intangibles beyond X’s and O’s and teamwork. Do you think Drapers team works better than Khachanov? Sounds weird but I wonder if the analogy works. Any thoughts?
I think you would like Phil Jackson's books. I have read about three of them and am working my way through Eleven Rings. The way he talks about teams and what makes them great resonates a lot with tennis. He espoused teaching flexible offenses that would adapt to the situation. He also emphasized team defense. Jackson argues that he wants to make it so that he doesn't not have to coach. The players figure it out because the system gives a role to everyone.
Similar to what a tennis player has to do. Adapt and try different things. The game has to integrate into a whole that works for the player. If something is not quite working, then it is time to try different things.
Jackson notes that what a player can become is often underestimated. Some players become better and eventually excel. I hope Draper continues to do so.
It always amazes me the times I’ve watched a Khachanov match against an unseeded player he can seem like such a bully, but Djokovic barely needs to get out of second gear to handle Karen
That drop from Draper on second serve points won is curious. Do you think there is something flawed in his serve technique that shines on second serves and makes it vulnerable, or is it just « inferiority » in the neutral game? Because that’s what second serve points usually look like and it’s usually a landmark of overall success (as Sinner and Alcaraz leading it proves) ?
I too am bullish on Draper, but I am particularly eager to hear your analysis on the Swiss Ondoor title win by Perricard over Sheldon. GMP looks like a future Grand Slam winner to me, long overdue for the French fans. He has per ATP "Shot Quality Insights" for the 2024 season, the number 1 serve on the ATP. After watching him vs Sheldon, I would say no doubt about that. The rest of his game looks particularly sound also, particularly for such a big guy at 6'8".
The serve is ridiculous. Incredible action: low toss, quick arm. And at 6'8'' like you mentioned, the angles and speed are just nasty on an indoor hardcourt. None of Duckworth, FAA, Shapo, Rune, Shelton, have a particularly strong return-game record statistically in 2024, but at 21 he has good net instincts, solid movement, and can crack it from both wings. Dangerous on anything quick and Wimbledon is the obvious possible deep run I think, which he has already shown.
Great analysis as always. Just on the mental side I thought it was evident that Draper started thinking “don’t blow it, don’t blow it” when he got to 4-0, and started pushing the backhand and rushing the points. But then he regrouped, which is a big plus - being able to reset is such a big part of not losing.
Yes he lost his aggression a bit, and seemed to go back to playing crosscourt more often, and Khachanov started to be the one playing more aggressively and changing direction!
It’s funny how you can tell when a player will be good. Draper finally provides a contrast. A lefty attacking player. I have been reading Phil Jackson’s 11 rings. He’s a big believer in the intangibles beyond X’s and O’s and teamwork. Do you think Drapers team works better than Khachanov? Sounds weird but I wonder if the analogy works. Any thoughts?
Haven't read 11 rings but I can only go on what I see, and I see a guy willing to adapt!
I think you would like Phil Jackson's books. I have read about three of them and am working my way through Eleven Rings. The way he talks about teams and what makes them great resonates a lot with tennis. He espoused teaching flexible offenses that would adapt to the situation. He also emphasized team defense. Jackson argues that he wants to make it so that he doesn't not have to coach. The players figure it out because the system gives a role to everyone.
Similar to what a tennis player has to do. Adapt and try different things. The game has to integrate into a whole that works for the player. If something is not quite working, then it is time to try different things.
Jackson notes that what a player can become is often underestimated. Some players become better and eventually excel. I hope Draper continues to do so.
Thanks again for all the analyses!!
It always amazes me the times I’ve watched a Khachanov match against an unseeded player he can seem like such a bully, but Djokovic barely needs to get out of second gear to handle Karen
Hi Hugh,
Great analysis as always.
That drop from Draper on second serve points won is curious. Do you think there is something flawed in his serve technique that shines on second serves and makes it vulnerable, or is it just « inferiority » in the neutral game? Because that’s what second serve points usually look like and it’s usually a landmark of overall success (as Sinner and Alcaraz leading it proves) ?