Deep inside the Vienna Ice Skating Club, an extraordinary transformation took place in October. The enormous ice rink was temporarily adapted into indoor tennis courts, and here, Jack Draper was immersed in his final tournaments of the season. His sparring partner for the day was the renowned Frances Tiafoe, a fellow top-20 player famous for his humor even in the most intense battles.

Focused on Self-Improvement

As they practiced, Tiafoe couldn't help but react to their spectacular winners by looking down the court, trying to catch Draper's eye to share a joke. But Draper had other priorities. The British No 1 was completely focused, extracting the best from himself in the limited time on court. He played aggressive tennis, and after an hour of high intensity, he led by a set.Throughout the year, Draper has emphasized that his breakthrough performances are a result of his consistent daily work and professionalism. In that silent Viennese hall, with no distractions, his focus was unwavering.“When I was younger, I didn't have a proper working mentality,” says Draper, who will turn 23 on 22 December. “When you start in tennis, you don't really understand what it's all about. It's a tough change as you realize that to be good, you need to mature and act like an adult at 20. I wasn't ready for that; I didn't want to work hard or make sacrifices. But that all changed last year.”It was when Draper missed the grass season, including Wimbledon, due to a shoulder injury that his mindset shifted. His numerous injuries and physical problems had previously defined his career.“That's when I realized I needed to change,” he says. “I'm proud of how I took it upon myself to be different, and the rewards have been great. Good things have come from my efforts to be better, grow, and become more independent.”

Victory at the Vienna Open

By the end of the week in Austria, Draper's hard work paid off. He won the biggest title of his career at the Vienna Open, his first ATP 500 success. It was a perfect way to end the year, as he had established himself as the new leader of British men's tennis. He finished 2024 with his first two ATP titles, his first grand slam semi-final at the US Open in September, and a career-high ranking of 14.This year wasn't always smooth. Halfway through, he often lost in brutal three-set matches. But he handled his disappointments with maturity, always believing he was on the right path. “I think it was good for me,” he says.“Hearing people say that the process of achieving something is more enjoyable than the achievement itself is true. Going through all the work, doubts, and worries is part of the journey. Looking back, I've had amazing moments, but I've also learned to enjoy the hard work.”

Gaining Independence

Maturity has been a theme this year as he has become more independent off the court. A few years ago, he didn't know how to cook and even asked his friend Jannik Sinner for advice on making pasta. Now, he has bought his own place and moved back in with his close friend and former flatmate Paul Jubb. Before, he was staying at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, which wasn't ideal. He has embraced the responsibilities of taking care of himself and his home, including cooking, and feels more like an adult.“I'm a lot calmer,” he says. “I have more belief in my tennis and life outside the court. As a young player, your personal life is on hold while you focus on tennis. But I've learned to have a good balance. In London, I can train and have my own place. I feel content with many things and have become more myself.”

New Experiences and Controversy

New doors have opened for him. After competing at the Davis Cup, he attended the Burberry London fashion week show, a completely different world. He also met the British rapper Skepta and was excited to take a picture with him. His music tastes are diverse; he listens to classical music while cleaning and made sure to get a ticket to Oasis' reunion tour.However, he also had his first taste of controversy this year. At the Cincinnati Open, with a match point against Félix Auger-Aliassime, the umpire missed a double bounce before his drop-volley winner. He faced a barrage of questions, but he addressed it with patience and sincerity, and the furore died down.“My first pro match in 2018, I won easily, but I was a horrible person. People will always find something to criticize. Whether you win or lose, you get a lot of messages, and you can't control it. The girls get it worse than the guys,” he says.If a player is getting more scrutiny, it usually means they are winning more matches, which is Draper's goal. After the Vienna Open, as he considered his aims for the coming season, he mentioned chasing players like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz while aiming for the biggest titles. His growth on and off the court shows that these goals are within reach.