JACK Draper has confirmed a Wimbledon goal after bowing out of the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old, whose dad Roger is a former chief executive of Warrington Wolves, lost 6-2 3-6 6-3 7-5 to 14th seed Tommy Paul.
Draper was particularly frustrated having beaten American Paul in both their previous meetings, including last week en route to reaching the final of the Adelaide Open.
But, although he pulled up well physically from his dramatic first-round match, which he ended vomiting into a bin, Draper was unable to find his best tennis.
“He definitely came out playing really well,” said Draper.
“I think he knew what he was up against. I think I won all four sets against him that I’d played.
“I definitely feel like I haven’t really got used to conditions this week at all. I just have been struggling to find my level.
“Obviously when you are playing a top player like that, if they’re playing well, there are very small margins in it. He was the better player on the day. He deserved to win.”
Draper is impatient to get to the sort of ranking he knows his talent merits, and it appears physically he is becoming more durable.
Being among the seeds at slams means guaranteeing avoiding higher-ranked players in the first two rounds and, having missed much of last season through injury, Draper now has a big opportunity to climb quickly.
He said: “I feel fit. I’m ready to keep going. I’m very motivated to keep getting better.
“So hopefully, by grass, if I keep my form up, if I stay fit, keep giving myself the opportunities to compete, then I’m going to be hopefully seeded for Wimbledon. And that’s kind of my goal now.”
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