TNT Sports tennis analyst Mats Wilander has expressed a strong belief that British No. 1 Jack Draper may create a significant upset at the French Open this year. Wilander, a former tennis professional himself, highlighted Draper’s impressive performance during the recent clay-court season, where he demonstrated commendable form by reaching the finals of the Madrid Open and advancing to the quarter-finals in the Italian Open. Despite exiting both tournaments after tough matches against renowned players—Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz—Draper was able to build important momentum heading into Roland-Garros.
Elaborating on Draper’s chances in Paris, Wilander noted the young player’s “exceptionally good attitude” and remarked on how physically strong Draper appears. The seasoned tennis expert took into consideration Draper’s previous victory at the Indian Wells—a significant hard-court event—pointing out that the conditions at that tournament bear a resemblance to clay-court play. “At Roland-Garros, if the conditions are dry and fast, Jack Draper is going to be extremely dangerous,” Wilander stated, alluding to the young player’s capability to adapt to the clay surface provided the circumstances favor his aggressive style of play.
Wilander rated Draper as a potential sixth or seventh favorite to win the entire tournament but placed him high on the list of players who could cause upsets due to his unique left-handed playing style and powerful serve. He emphasized that in modern men’s tennis, left-handers with such capabilities are relatively rare, making Draper a particularly noteworthy competitor to watch.
However, despite Draper’s promising potential, he has not yet found success at Roland-Garros; the last two years saw him suffer first-round exits. In 2023, an injury forced him to retire from his match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, while the previous year, he endured a grueling five-set loss to Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong. Given these setbacks, discussions arose concerning whether Draper’s aggressive play could once again be his undoing. Wilander quickly dispelled these concerns, asserting that Draper’s optimal strategy lies in his offensive play rather than defensive tactics.
According to Wilander, Draper does not possess the defensive prowess of elite players like Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev, nor does he bring the level of defense that Jannik Sinner has displayed. To counter this, he must take charge of the points early in rallies and focus on dictating play if he seeks success on the clay courts of Roland-Garros. “You cannot play defense to win, especially at Roland-Garros, where you have to be the most aggressive of all the tournaments these days,” he emphasized, reinforcing the idea that success in Paris hinges on an offensive mindset.
As the tournament approaches, various narratives are developing alongside Draper’s journey to the French Open. Notably, men’s tennis world No. 1 Sinner is making his return to competition after serving a three-month doping ban, while Novak Djokovic aims to secure his 25th Grand Slam title. Additionally, fellow competitors like Alcaraz, Zverev, Ruud, and Taylor Fritz will be striving to make their mark in what promises to be an exciting tournament.
Wilander believes that despite the challenges lying ahead, Jack Draper will have the mental fortitude to face his opponents and that they, in turn, will recognize him as a formidable rival. He praised Draper for his awareness of the areas needing improvement, implying that the player is committed to advancing his game. Wilander concluded by stating that, along with Ben Shelton, Draper could become the dangerous left-hander that many players dread facing, due to the unpredictability of their serving capabilities. “If they serve great, it’s going to be a very, very long day for their opponents,” he remarked.
As anticipation builds for the French Open, many tennis enthusiasts eagerly await the unfolding drama and competition that promises to highlight both familiar stars and emerging talent, including Jack Draper. Fans can catch all the live coverage of the 2025 French Open on discovery+, ensuring they won’t miss any of the action.
