British tennis star Jack Draper has received a major vote of confidence, with former world number one Jim Courier tipping him to challenge the sport's dominant duo, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The Alcaraz-Sinner Dominance
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have established a formidable duopoly at the pinnacle of men's tennis. For two consecutive seasons, the pair have split the year's four grand slam titles between them. They have contested three of the last four major finals, and the chasm separating them from the rest of the ATP Tour has only widened in recent months.
This dominance was starkly illustrated earlier in November when Sinner successfully defended his ATP Finals title against Alcaraz in the championship match. In Turin, none of the other elite competitors could get close to their level, underscoring their status as the tour's 'big boys'.
Courier's Bold Prediction for Draper
Despite the overwhelming evidence of the top two's supremacy, four-time major champion Jim Courier believes a challenger is emerging. Courier has put his money on Britain's Jack Draper, the current world number ten, to be the player who can bridge the gap.
Speaking on Tennis Channel, Courier stated, "I'm going to put my money down on Jack Draper. If he's healthy as he's shown us at Indian Wells, he can play with the big boys." He pointed to Draper's potent weapons, including a powerful left-handed serve and a massive forehand, as the key assets needed to compete at the very top.
Draper's Season and Road to Recovery
Draper, 23, remarkably finished the 2025 season inside the world's top 10 despite not playing a competitive match since August. His campaign was curtailed by a bone bruise stress fracture in his arm sustained after Wimbledon.
Prior to his injury, the British number one had a breakthrough season. He reached two Masters 1000 finals, clinching his maiden title at that level with a stunning victory at Indian Wells in March. This success propelled him to a career-high ranking of world number four, and he also reached the semi-finals of the US Open in 2024.
Courier noted that while fans haven't seen enough of Draper lately, podcast appearances suggest the Briton is on track for a return. Draper is expected to feature in off-season exhibition matches before making his official competitive comeback at the United Cup, a mixed-gender team event in Australia that kicks off the new season.
The tennis world now waits to see if Jack Draper can translate his undeniable potential into a consistent challenge to the sport's reigning elite.
