Jack Draper sees 'incredible' Carlos Alcaraz as 'benchmark', thinks he can be 'really effective' on clay

Jack Draper says Carlos Alcaraz is the “benchmark” for him and his aim is to compete with the world No. 2 on a regular basis. Alcaraz, 19, has blazed his way to the top of the game over the last 18 months, winning eight titles, including the 2022 US Open and three ATP Masters 1000 events.

Ad He has already had two spells as world No. 1, only recently losing top spot to Novak Djokovic following the Miami Open. TennisATP clay power rankings: Djokovic, Alcaraz lead the way, but where's Nadal?YESTERDAY AT 08:35 Draper, 21, is yet to hit the same heights as Alcaraz but has shown his exciting potential with some encouraging displays.

He says he has “huge respect” for Alcaraz and was even more impressed with him after their recent meeting in Indian Wells when Draper retired with injury trailing 6-2 2-0. “It was a bit of a shame in Indian Wells,” he told Tennis Majors. “I hurt my ab at the end of the Andy [Murray] match and that was obviously going to affect me.

But I think even if I was okay and fit, the level that was coming at me that day on the court was something that I hadn’t really experienced much on a tennis court before. “I have huge respect for him. He’s obviously an incredible player.

What he’s done already in tennis is pretty, pretty incredible, not only just his tennis, but his physicality, his mentality. “I see him as more of a benchmark of that’s where I want to be week in, week out. I want to be able to compete with him and hopefully, win against him.

Full respect, he’s an incredible player. I don’t think you can quite appreciate it until you play against him.” Although British No. 4 Draper was disappointed to bow out of Indian Wells with injury, his run to the last 16 included wins over Dan Evans and Murray.