Jack Draper’s feat of clay proves he has joined tennis's elite

Instead his focus will be on winning a second ATP Masters tournament of the year, a remarkable achievement that would lay down a marker to his opponents, three weeks ahead of the start of the second major of the year, the French Open at Roland Garros.

The British No 1 actually went ahead of Novak Djokovic in the rankings after his quarter-final victory over Matteo Arnaldi, before his 6-3, 7-6 (4) win against Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals. He is only the fourth ever British man to reach the top five in the Open era.

He is also only the second lefthander to be ranked within the world top five in the 21st century. The other man to have managed that certainly had a strong record in Madrid – no one has won this tournament more than Rafael Nadal.

“I mean, obviously he’s a lefty, and growing up watching him, but I wasn’t ever trying to think I’m going to be like him on a clay court, you know, he’s pretty good,” said Draper, when asked about the similarities of his game to Nadal’s on a clay court.

“I think there are definitely things I can learn from the way he looked for his forehand, and the way he bullies opponents, especially on the clay. That’s something I’m learning how to do, and to dictate what I’m trying to do, for sure.” Draper is yet to drop a set in his run to the final and he physically imposed himself from the start in his semi-final.

Musetti had no answer early on for Draper’s strong serve and shots from beyond the baseline. The Italian, who last year reached the semi-final at Wimbledon and won bronze at the Olympics, muttered and moaned towards his box throughout the game, with Draper seemingly unfazed.

The Brit did look like he was starting to tire in the second set with neither player able to find a break of serve. He saved a crucial break point to take the match to 4-4 and held serve to send it to a tiebreak. He dug deep to find the energy to win that and set up a final against Casper Ruud.

Ruud, ranked 15th in the world but set to break back into the top 10 after his run in Madrid Open, is experienced on clay and today’s match will be his 18th final on the surface. No one has won more matches on clay this decade. But Draper believes that his experiences at the Australian Open, where he won three matches that all went to five sets, has prepared him well for the physical and mental challenges in these tournaments.

“[Ruud] is very accustomed to clay,” Draper told Sky Sports following his win. “A big pro, he always gives his best so that will be a real, real challenge. I feel confident to give it my all and am physically good. I came through some five-setters at the Australian Open when not at my best and that has stayed in my memory.”

Draper won his first ATP Masters 1000 title last month at Indian Wells, beating Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz on route to a win over Holger Rune in the final.

“I said at the end of last year I wanted to be competing with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and all the players who are competing for big titles,” said Draper, after winning the tournament. “It’s one thing saying it but it’s another thing doing it.”

Alcaraz’s recent injury issues along with Sinner’s three-month doping ban has left a more open feel as the French Open and Wimbledon approach. Sinner is due to return at this week’s Italian Open and Draper will be familiar with the Italian’s form having spent time training with him.

Draper has never made it past the first round of the French Open, which begins on 25 May, but his strong showing over the past week puts paid to the notion that British players will always struggle on clay.

He can look back to Andy Murray’s 2016 experience for a positive omen. Murray made the final in Madrid before going on to be a finalist at the French Open and win Wimbledon.

Picture: Manu Fernandez/AP Photo