If opponents thought Jack Draper looked like a ‘UFC fighter’ earlier this year, they might think the beefed-up Briton resembles a WWE wrestler now.
World number five Draper hit the gym in a recent training block, continuing his work to solve the physical issues which hampered his early days as a professional.
Even when Draper reached the US Open semi-finals last year, questions still remained over his durability.
Twelve months on, the 23-year-old Englishman has returned to the scene of his breakout Grand Slam run feeling stronger – and looking notably ripped.
“I have worked incredibly hard to improve my physicality on the court,” said Draper, who plays Argentina’s Federico Agustin Gomez on Monday in his first-round match.
“I think part of it is my genetics and growing into a bit more of a man’s body. I think that took me a long time.”
Draper’s transformation has not gone unnoticed.
At the French Open in June, his fourth-round opponent Alexander Bublik was the one responsible for the UFC comparison – calling Draper’s physique “insane”.
The wolf-whistles when Draper revealed his bulging biceps in a sleeveless shirt at the US Open mixed doubles last week showed the fans are aware, too.
Standing 6ft 4in and weighing 90kg, Draper has developed an imposing frame which he believes is necessary to compete at the top of the men’s game.
The metamorphosis has been accelerated by the hard graft demanded by fitness trainer Matt Little and physio Shane Annun – who were core pillars of Andy Murray’s team before joining Draper earlier this year.
“I have started to really enjoy improving in the [gym] aspect,” Draper said.
“Before I didn’t really want to push myself. I didn’t really want to feel strong almost.
“But I feel great in myself now and I understand the benefits it has on the match court and on these big stages, as well.”
‘No stone unturned’ as Draper looks to catch Sinner & Alcaraz
Draper arrived at the US Open without a competitive appearance under his belt since a shock early exit at Wimbledon in July.
But the time off court has allowed him to continue building up his base fitness during a training block in London.
There have been high-intensity sessions on a vertical cardio climber – a full-body workout gizmo which developers say is “one of the most effective and efficient ways of burning fat and calories”.
Little is the driving force behind the idea, having seen Murray – known as one of the fittest athletes on the ATP Tour in his heyday – reap the rewards from lots of time on the machine.
“I’ve been leaving no stone unturned,” Draper told BBC Sport.
“I’ve been doing a lot of leg strength, a lot of cardio work and a lot of versa-climber.
“Ultimately, I’m doing stuff where you’re shocking your body all the time and working it as hard as possible to get the best gains.”
In his early days on the ATP Tour, Draper was seen as lightweight and prone to quitting matches because of physical problems.
But Draper demonstrated he was a different beast during the Australian Open in January, outlasting three successive opponents in gruelling five-set matches.
Although he did have to retire in his fourth-round match against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, it was not seen as a major concern.
A hip injury had disrupted his pre-season work and meant the lack of time on the court had simply caught up with him.
Draper played a lot in the months which followed, winning the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells before strong runs in the clay and grass swings.
The surprise second-round defeat by Croat veteran Marin Cilic at Wimbledon provided a reality check – and the catalyst for a spell off tour.
With an arm injury continuing to bother him, Draper pulled out of ATP 1,000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati.
But the bruised humerus did not stop him training – and staying home meant he was able to see his favourite band Oasis at Wembley.
Now, having arrived in New York over a week ago, it is back to business as he tries to stop Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz cleaning up the major titles for the second straight season.
“I don’t want to feel like we’re just letting them do it,” fifth seed Draper said.
“I want to keep on going after them, keep on improving, and hopefully soon be competing with them.”
