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Jack Draper has set his sights on going \u201call the way\u201d in tennis after a positive start to his return from injury. The young Brit has been sidelined by multiple physical issues this season but recently made his first Challenger final in 18 months at the Open d’Orleans. Draper is now hoping to pick back up where he left off before becoming one of the best players in the game.<\/p>\n
Draper had a breakthrough season in 2022 – winning three Challengers in a row, reaching his first tour-level semi-final in Eastbourne, making the Montreal Masters quarter-final, and cracking the top 50. But he was unable to keep building on his progress this season after multiple setbacks. The 21-year-old suffered cramps against Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open and then picked up an abdominal injury in Indian Wells.<\/p>\n
He returned in Monte Carlo but tore his shoulder at the French Open and made his comeback three months later at the Winnipeg Challenger. Since then, Draper has reached the second week of the US Open and the final in Orleans, losing to Tomas Machac.<\/p>\n
As his comeback continues to gain speed, Draper has now outlined his new goals as he bids to rise to the top of tennis. \u201cNext year, [the goal is] to carry on where I\u2019ve left off at the end of this year,\u201d he told the ATP\u00a0Challenger Tour.<\/p>\n
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news<\/strong><\/p>\n Just in <\/strong> Gauff issues fresh message to haters as tennis ace not allowed to ‘comment back'[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe main thing for me is always to just keep developing physically. My goal is not to be a top 100 or a top 50 player. My goal is to be one of the best in the world.\u201d While Draper knows it will be a long way to the top, he sees no reason why he can’t make it.<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cThere\u2019s many things that need to fall into place for that, but I think if I keep competing and keep working hard day in and day out and doing all the things I need to do physically and mentally to be at the top of the game, there\u2019s no reason why I don\u2019t have the game and the ability to go all the way in this sport.\u201d<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> The British No 7 thinks he has already learned a lot from his months on the sidelines when he continued to plug away in an effort to return to competition as soon as he could, having missed his home Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon. \u201cWith this year, having so many injuries and having to come back from them, it definitely builds a lot of strength of character,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew I just had to get myself in a good place physically and mentally to be at the top of my game. I feel like this year, although it\u2019s been really difficult, dropping out of the Top 100 and all these things, I\u2019ve learned so much and I\u2019m a much better player now than I was nine, 10 months ago. I\u2019m proud of myself, but it\u2019s definitely been difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/4989793.jpg?r=1696258761195\")
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