Are Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu Close Friends? Here’s What We Know About Their Relationship

In the world of tennis, where rivalries often occur, Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper stand out for their unbreakable bond! These two British tennis stars are making waves in their respective tournaments (Raducanu: Nottingham Open, Draper: Stuttgart Open) currently. As they continue to etch their names in the annals of tennis history, their friendship off the court is something that continues to intrigue fans! Born less than a year apart, Raducanu and Draper shared an agent in 2022. However, their relationship dates back long before that!

It all started when the former WTA world number 10 player went on a junior tennis trip with Draper. At that time, they were only nine or ten years old. Not only that, these two rising tennis stars also mastered their tennis skills together at the National Tennis Center in Roehampton. Later, after they both turned professional players in 2018 and began their journey in the world of tennis, their friendship off the court came into the spotlight. Not only have they gone through good times, but both of them have also struggled together with injuries.

While Raducanu struggled with wrist and ankle injuries and was sidelined from tennis for eight months, there were still doubts whether the 21-year-old would be able to bounce back after that. However, the former world number 35 player remains confident in this regard. “When he is fit, he is an extraordinary player,” he said last year. However, he “does not make sense” the show in 2023 was an inspiration to many, claims Draper.

Referring to Raducanu’s career-best win at the 2021 US Open, left-hander Draper said last year, “I think what he did last year was beyond belief, it was crazy, and I think it gave a lot of British tennis players a lot of confidence in themselves that they could do something similar.” The former British men’s singles number 1 further added, “I think we all thank him for giving us the motivation and drive to continue to improve ourselves.”

Draper, who also suffers from stomach and hip problems, has also experienced similar struggles, as has Britain’s former WTA No. 1. However, in supporting his friend, Draper never backed down. Not only that, Draper, who is confident that Raducanu can return to the top of the rankings, also explained why he thinks Raducanu has the potential to perform even better than before.

Jack Draper thinks Emma Raducanu has “everything necessary” to be at the top again

Meanwhile, Jack Draper is currently swinging his racket at his opponent Brandon Nakashima in the semifinals of the Stuttgart Open, Emma Raducanu has reached the quarter-finals of the Nottingham Open. Both have overcome numerous injuries to return to their best this year. However, even before Raducanu begins the 2024 season, Draper is already confident he will return with more fire this year.

Because, according to him, “People forget that before the US Open, he was still in school. He didn’t get much training. And then I think to expect too much from him after that was a mistake because he probably didn’t have much of a physical base.”

Further adding, he said, “He will return to the final and a big position because he has everything it takes. It’s just a matter of when.” As the two continue their journey this season, the tennis world is waiting to see more of their friendship!