Jack Draper might be ranked as the best men’s player in Britain but the tennis star has admitted he tends to live an understated life away from the court.
The 23-year-old became a household name last year when he waltzed his way to the US Open semi-final.
Losing to eventual winner Jannik Sinner, Draper pocketed a whopping £824,000 for his run to the semis, as well as solidifying his position as British No.1.
But despite his fame and fortune, Draper doesn’t believe his life has changed too much since breaking onto the scene.
Speaking in an interview with The Times, Draper said while recalling a chance meeting with two fans in Waitrose: “In the UK, the people who recognise me, it’s more the older women who play club tennis.
“Well, it’s not even the mums. It’s more like the grandmas!”
Staying under the radar is likely to appeal to Draper, given he’s revealed he’s a fan of a simpler life and doesn’t tend to indulge in too much luxury.
The Sutton-born star still drives a second-hand Volkswagen Polo and doesn’t tend to spend his winnings on materialistic goods.
Draper added: “People, when they see me rocking that, they’re like, ‘A bit weird.
“There was one treat: an Omega watch that cost a few thousand. That was second-hand as well. I didn’t want to go full [price], not because I’m tight, just because I’d rather put it into something else.”
Draper has confessed he’s looking to become even more money-savvy, saying: “I’m not saying I want to be a stockbroker tomorrow, but I want to try to understand a little bit about how it works.
“The one thing that actually makes people more happy, more than anything, is when they feel like they’re helping someone else.”
He’ll have the chance to add to his already impressive career earnings when he takes on Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round of the Australian Open.
It comes after Draper edged past Mariano Navone in the first round – a match that went the full five sets.
Be that this year or sometime in the future, Draper has been tipped to become the first British Grand Slam winner since Andy Murray.
He’s keen to brush off any comparisons though, stating: “I’m not trying to be the next Andy Murray … he’s one of the greatest players there ever was and ever will be, and to put that level of pressure on myself, I just don’t do it. I focus on achieving my own potential, whatever that looks like.”
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