British tennis star Jack Draper has announced his separation from coach Wayne Ferreira just days before the US Open. Draper is set to begin his tournament journey against China’s Zhang Zhizhen on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old athlete enters the US Open following a commendable quarter-final appearance at the Cincinnati Open last week. Draper’s decision to part ways with Ferreira comes after a brief four-month collaboration. Moving forward, he will work solely with his trusted coach, James Trotman.
Draper, who impressively reached the fourth round at the US Open last year, discussed his desire for a simpler team dynamic during a media conference at Flushing Meadows. “I’ve always been a player who likes to keep things simple,” he explained. “I wanted one voice in my team.”
He acknowledged the positive impact Ferreira had during their time together, sharing, “My time with Wayne has been amazing, and I’ve learned a lot from him.” Ferreira helped Draper achieve notable victories, including an upset against Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s and winning the Stuttgart Open.
Reflecting on his development, Draper emphasized the necessity for change in his approach to the game. “After the French Open, I had a big mentality shift…you have to change yourself,” he stated. Draper is focused on continual improvement, showcasing his commitment to evolving as a top contender in tennis.
As the excitement builds for the US Open, all eyes will be on Draper as he aims to capitalize on his recent successes and build momentum in New York.
