Source : ABC NEWS
As nicknames go, Jack Draper is unsure if “marathon man” will stick.
The moniker was suggested to the Briton after he recorded his third straight five-set victory at the Australian Open, this time over local hope Aleksandar Vukic.
“I don’t know, it’s not something that I’m used to being called, to be honest,” a tired but smiling Draper said when he met the media in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“Usually [I’m] done after two sets, but I think it’s a real testament to the work I’ve put in physically and the competitive side of things and the mental part as well.
“So, I’m very proud of my efforts so far.”
Even if he doesn’t embrace the title, it’s a fitting description of his Australian Open run as he has spent 12 hours and 34 minutes on court across three matches.
He duked it out with Vukic for just under four hours, with Draper triumphing in front of a parochial Australian crowd on Margaret Court Arena, 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8).
The win followed Wednesday’s epic battle with Vukic’s countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis, who served for the match in the fourth set, only for Draper to fight back and win in five.
Draper, who is ranked 18 in the world, was hampered by a hip injury late last year but arrived in Melbourne in excellent physical condition.
Draper’s stamina has been impressive during his run at Melbourne Park. (Getty Images: Clive Brunskill)
The 23-year-old’s fitness is matched by his mental toughness, which was built from overcoming doubts about his ability to go the distance at the majors.
“I think obviously there’s always been that sort of question mark in my head over five-set matches, and am I able to do it?” Draper said.
“From a mental side of things, and physical as well, is my body going to hold up?
“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it too much. I’ve been putting in a lot of work in general over time.
“It seems by having that time off with my hip, I was able to focus on working on a few different things.
“I was working a lot with a breathing coach and just trying to understand that a bit better.
“I’ve always had problems with my sinuses. So, I think that’s really helping.
“I just think in general, staying a lot calmer and just not being too uptight … I think that’s helping me to go for longer.”
Draper’s assignment doesn’t get any easier, as he will play four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round on Sunday.
He will have less than 48 hours to recover from his exhausting clash with Vukic, but the lanky left-hander isn’t fazed.
“I’ll make sure I do all the recovery right tomorrow and make sure I eat a lot,” Draper said.
“The main thing is just to not think about the tennis at all and switch off from it and try and just relax, and hopefully the body will be OK.
“I’m expecting to be really sore on whenever it (the match against Alcaraz) is and just go again.”
