French Open 2025: Jack Draper reveals ‘defining moment’ from last year’s Roland-Garros that sparked steep rankings rise

Jack Draper claimed a four-set opening round victory against Italy's Mattia Bellucci on Tuesday, to set up a second-round clash with France's Gael Monfils. Draper has risen up the rankings in the past 12 months, making it to the US Open semi-final and winning ATP titles. And the Brit suggested that a "defining moment" that sparked his success had come at the French Open last year.

Draper believes in the Brits at French Open - 'All of them can go through more rounds'

Video credit: TNT Sports

British No. 1 Jack Draper revealed the "defining moment" from last year’s French Open that sparked his steep rise up the rankings. 
Draper secured a 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory against Italy's Mattia Bellucci in the opening round of Roland-Garros on Tuesday, a result which marked his first career French Open victory.
His previous two appearances at the Grand Slam had been less seamless. The left-hander retired injured during his main-draw debut two years ago, and then fell to a dismal first-round defeat against 176th-ranked Jesper de Jong in last year’s tournament. 
And speaking exclusively to TNT Sports, Draper said the latter experience was a "defining moment" for him. Indeed, he bounced back from the defeat to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open and win ATP titles to climb to World No. 5 in the rankings. 
"I feel great," said Draper. "It’s my first victory here at Roland-Garros. The first year I came here was a bit of a non-event. I hurt my shoulder before the tournament. 
"And last year was a tough loss, but it was a defining moment for me. That was a good memory for me in a way.
"But to win my first match here means a lot to me".
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Draper 'belongs at top of the game', says Wilander - 'No chance he loses to Monfils'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Draper insists 'more to come' from Brits

Elsewhere, Draper talked up the performances of his compatriots in the first round of the Roland-Garros.
It is the first time in 52 years that six Brits have made it to the Grand Slam’s second round, and Draper insisted there was still "lots more to come" from Cam Norrie, Emma Raducanu and co.
"It’s an individual sport, so I’ve been focusing on myself, but obviously I’ve been watching [the tournament] on TV, and I think it’s really exciting," he said.
"Six Brits winning in the first round is great, but all of those players can win more rounds. They’re all great players. I was watching Cam [Norrie] today [against Daniil Medvedev] and I thought that was incredibly impressive.
"Obviously Emma [Raducanu] won yesterday [against Wang Xinyu] and she’s already won the US Open and had amazing results. 
"I’m proud of being part of a group that’s working hard to be better all the time and I think there’s lots more to come; not just first-round wins."
Stream the 2025 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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