Jack Draper is set to train with Carlos Alcaraz in the off-season (Image: Getty)
Jack Draper has planned a training block with Carlos Alcaraz after being told to leave the UK for his pre-season training.
The Brit has enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning two titles, cracking the top 15 and reaching a Grand Slam semi-final.
But several tennis insiders have urged Draper to train outside of his home country if he wants to reach the top of the game. And the 22-year-old has listened.
Draper often stays in London to complete his training block during the off-season. Last year, he was more than happy to stick with the LTA’s National Tennis Centre and raved about how much freedom he had to do what he wanted with their facilities.
However, some want to see the world No. 15 leave his home comforts to practice abroad. Andy Roddick said Draper needed to find “another base” in the heat while Mark Petchey went a step further, suggesting the Brit should move abroad to a “hot, humid place.”
The British No. 1 has now met them halfway. According to Mail Sport, he will spend four weeks training in the UK before heading to Alicante for a practice block with world No. 3 Alcaraz.
Draper’s coach James Trotman said: “It’s incredibly important to spend time with the best players, experience that on a daily basis. We’re looking forward to it.”
Jack Draper stunned Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s this summer (Image: Getty)
Training in a warmer climate will be important for Draper, who has often struggled with hotter conditions. He threw up after his five-set win at the Australian Open back in January.
The world No. 15 also struggled with the hot days during the Paris Olympics and blasted organisers for not giving them good enough access to cold water. “I mean it was tough conditions, there’s no doubt about it, I need to play more in this sort of heat,” he added.
It will also be a chance to see how four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz works, as their training block will be at his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s academy.
Draper stunned Alcaraz when they faced off at Queen’s this summer. The Spaniard was the defending champion and came to the tournament fresh off the back of lifting his third Major trophy at the French Open.
But the Brit sent him packing immediately, winning 7-6(3) 6-3. Alcaraz bounced straight back and retained his Wimbledon crown a few weeks later.