Jack Draper credits 'hard work and perseverance' after making winning return from injury against Viktor Durasovic at Davis Cup
Updated 05/02/2026 at 22:18 GMT
Jack Draper rediscovered that winning feeling on court after a dominant 6-2 6-2 win against Viktor Durasovic at the Davis Cup as the British No. 1 looks to propel himself back towards the top 10 in the ATP rankings. Durasovic was no match for Draper as Great Britain look to see off Norway in their first-round qualifier in Oslo. Cameron Norrie beat Nicolai Budkov Kjaer to double GB's lead.
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Jack Draper credited his own "hard work and perseverance" as he took a major step towards consigning an injury-plagued 2025 to the past following a commanding Davis Cup singles victory in Oslo.
The British No. 1 powered his way past Norway’s Viktor Durasovic 6-2 6-2 to get Leon Smith’s side off to the ideal start in their first-round qualifier.
Draper has played just one singles match since bowing out in the second round of Wimbledon last year, but he made up for lost time with a victory in just over an hour to put Great Britain 1-0 up in the tie.
Speaking after the win, Draper said: "It's good to get a match under my belt and get a first point for Great Britain.
"It's taken hard work and perseverance. It's been a really difficult time since I've been away from the sport, but I've done the hard work no one sees and when I come back, hopefully, I can play some proper tennis again."
Durasovic sits 300 places lower than world No. 13 Draper in the ATP rankings and the gulf in class between the two players was quickly evident.
Last year’s Indian Wells winner moved a double break in front at 4-1 in the first set, taking just 27 minutes to draw first blood and move halfway to victory.
The Norwegian seemingly had no answers on a sobering night on home soil as Draper went a double break in front at 3-0 in the second set to move within touching distance of victory.
Durasovic would salvage some respectability by holding his serve from that point onwards before Draper prevailed on his second match point.
The win will serve as a huge confidence boost for Draper, who previously spoke candidly about his injury struggles in an interview with the LTA.
"[It's] been a long time since I've been able to compete," Draper said. "I've stayed in a good place, although it's been tricky [with] a lot of dark moments and a lot of tough times, but that's the sport I signed up for.
"I'm happy to be back playing again. I miss the buzz of competing. I've missed the thrill of playing in front of people, against great players, and that winning feeling you can't replicate in training. It's going to feel great to get back out there again."
Last year began very differently for Draper, who was riding the crest of a wave after his first Masters 1000 titles at Indian Wells and reaching the fourth rounds of the Australian Open and French Open.
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That moved him up to world No. 4 and the Briton is confident of propelling himself back up the rankings this year.
"Last year started off amazingly well, the second half was extremely challenging," Draper added.
"I took a lot of belief and confidence from the first half of the year and what I achieved. I kept in mind that I want to be competing right at the top of the game.
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"It's going to be a bit of a challenge and a journey to get back to where I was because I've been out for such a long time but at the same time, I'm constantly getting better and improving, and I hope I get to show that sooner rather than later."
Norrie able to 'play freely' after Draper's win
After Draper completed victory, Cameron Norrie followed suit in his singles match against world No. 133 Nicolai Budkov Kjaer - winning 6-4 6-4 to put GB 2-0 ahead and secure his 10th career win in the Davis Cup.
Norrie explained how Draper's win gave him added impetus to get the job done.
"It was an amazing start for Jack. It's not easy for him to come back from that injury he's had and a match where he's the big favourite, but he was really calm," Norrie said.
"He played really well and enjoyed it. That gave me a lot of confidence to come out and play freely."
The 30-year-old hailed the qualities of Kjaer and claimed that the first-set score was a bit flattering.
"He's a really talented player. We practised a lot in Monaco [where Norrie lives] and I wanted to make it a physical match, and I was able to do that in the first set. I think I was a bit fortunate to win that first set 6-4, he was serving really well.
"I had to really play a couple of good points to break [his serve at 5-4 in the first set], and I think the physicality in the first set accumulated well. I was then able to have that small advantage in the second set."
The winners of this tie will face Australia or Ecuador in the second round of qualification.
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