Jack Draper Gains Confidence After Winning Second ATP Title at Erste Bank Open

Jack Draper is filled with newfound confidence after clinching his second ATP title at the Erste Bank Open, declaring that he now believes he can "shake up" the highest level of tennis. The British number one, competing in only his second tournament since the US Open semi-finals, secured the trophy with a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 victory over Karen Khachanov.

The 22-year-old expressed pride in his achievement, noting he is now the fourth British player to win at this tournament, joining the ranks of Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman, and two-time champion Andy Murray. Draper viewed this final as his "biggest yet" and shared that reaching the US Open semi-finals has given him the belief he needs to compete with elite players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Looking ahead, Draper plans to participate in the Paris Masters and hopes to "shake up those guys at the top of the game" next season, building on his impressive breakout year. "I think the US Open was huge to start really believing that I belonged at the highest level," he said. "It’s helped my feelings that I am good enough to compete with the top players in the world and win these matches."

Draper's stellar performance this season has already guaranteed him a place in the top 15 of the world rankings. In the final match against Khachanov, Draper initially dominated, going up 4-0 in the second set. However, Khachanov mounted a comeback, taking five consecutive games to lead 5-4 before Draper regained his composure to clinch the match.

Draper’s journey to the title included an impressive first set, where he broke Khachanov early and maintained control, closing it out in just 40 minutes. Despite Khachanov’s strong serving, he faltered under pressure, which Draper capitalized on. The match lasted one hour and 35 minutes, and Draper was relieved to secure his first ATP 500 title.

"I'm really happy with the way I’ve progressed this year," Draper reflected, mentioning his previous win at the Stuttgart Open in June. He plans to take a break after the Paris Masters, recognizing the demanding nature of the tennis season. "It has been a long year, and it has taken a lot out of me," he admitted. After some time off, he aims to return with greater motivation to compete with the best.

Draper faced challenges with injuries in the past, which hindered his progress. He recently suffered an abdominal issue during the ATP Tour event in Tokyo, causing him to miss the Shanghai Masters. "The nature of tennis is brutal because I was 40 in the world and got injured for a couple of months, and my ranking completely dropped," he said, expressing his determination to improve both physically and mentally.

During the trophy ceremony, Draper humorously noted to Khachanov that he nearly gave him a "heart attack" during the tense second set. Khachanov congratulated Draper, acknowledging his deserving win and bright future, while Draper thanked his team and the tournament organizers for their support.

As Draper lifts his first ATP 500 title in Vienna, he looks forward to future challenges and opportunities to further establish himself at the highest level of the sport.