Jack Draper, Britain’s rising tennis star and world No. 5, suffered a stinging setback at the 2025 French Open, falling in the fourth round to Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik in a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 upset on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The defeat, which halted Draper’s hopes of reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, drew a scathing critique from three-time doubles Grand Slam champion Michael Llodra. The former French star, now a television analyst, didn’t mince words, declaring, “We’ve got the world No. 5 making a fool of himself for almost a set and a half. It feels like watching PSG against Inter Milan. I had to say it. Sorry.” Llodra’s comparison to Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final underscored the one-sided nature of Bublik’s dominance, sparking widespread discussion about Draper’s performance and potential.
Draper, 23, entered the match as a heavy favorite, riding a wave of success from a breakout 2025 season that saw him claim his first ATP 1000 title at Indian Wells and reach the Madrid Open final. His clay-court game had evolved significantly, with victories over Mattia Bellucci, Gaël Monfils, and Brazilian prodigy Joao Fonseca in Paris showcasing his powerful left-handed serve and crushing forehand. “I think I’ve really improved,” Draper reflected post-match, trying to find perspective amid the disappointment. “Last year I was leaving here, first-round loss, being 40 in the world and very disappointed with my tennis and not sure where I was going with it. This year I’m leaving No. 5 in the world. I’ve made the fourth round. I’m playing consistently really good tennis week in and week out.”
Yet, against Bublik, ranked No. 62, Draper’s game unraveled after a promising first set. The Kazakh, known for his unpredictable flair, unleashed a barrage of 68 winners, including 12 from 37 drop shots, that left Draper scrambling. “I don’t play many matches where I feel like it’s almost out of my control what’s going on, and he made that happen today,” Draper admitted, acknowledging Bublik’s ability to dictate play. The turning point came in the second set, when Bublik broke Draper’s serve with a series of audacious shots, including a forehand passing winner and deft drop shots that exposed the Brit’s struggles to adapt. By the fourth set, Bublik sealed a break to love with four outrageous winners, collapsing to the floor in celebration after fending off five break points to secure his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Llodra’s brutal assessment highlighted Draper’s retreat into a defensive shell as Bublik’s varied shot-making—aces, sliced backhands, and feathered volleys—disrupted his rhythm. “That’s what top players do,” Draper said, recognizing the lesson. “They make you feel extremely uncomfortable, and they make you feel like you can’t do much.” Bublik, who had fallen from a career-high No. 17 to 82 earlier in 2025, credited a mental reset in Las Vegas for his resurgence. “Sometimes in life there is only one chance, and I had a feeling that was mine and I couldn’t let it slip,” he told the crowd, savoring his finest career moment.
Draper’s defeat ended British hopes in the men’s singles, with Cameron Norrie also falling to Novak Djokovic in the fourth round. Despite the loss, Draper’s 2025 achievements—reaching the US Open semifinals, climbing to No. 5, and establishing himself as a threat on all surfaces—signal his potential. “I still have lots to learn,” he said, comparing himself to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have more Grand Slam experience. “They’re probably a year, two years ahead of me and obviously achieved a lot more.” With Wimbledon and Queen’s Club Championships looming, where his serve could shine on grass, Draper remains focused. “I always use the fuel and the hurt to better myself,” he vowed, determined to bridge the gap to the elite and silence critics like Llodra.
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