Good morning. New idea: signature Grand Slam coffee drinks. I’m imaging the “30-Love Latte” with a cocoa powder tennis racket stencil. The Honey Duece’s steaming hot brother. Now let’s dive in.
— Daniel Park
ATP
The Thunder Bolt Returns
Remember this dandelion picking South London darling?
I can’t stop thinking that his sweater is getting dirty (Clay Stephen Gardner)
Well he’s back! After a season of itchy-sweater modeling and injury rehab, Jack Draper is back on court, playing his first tournament since the US Open.
The British No. 1 suffered a bone bruise on his serving arm during last year’s clay court swing. It got worse throughout the season, and ultimately shut him down early.
But if you recall, Draper was HIM this time last year. He made the semis of the 2024 US Open, finalled Doha, won Indian Wells, and then finalled Madrid. He convincingly climbed to No. 4 in the world, and all signs pointed to omg this is the guy who could actually beat Sincaraz in a slam.
But unfortunately, the injury bug bit him close to the summit.
The New Draper
I wonder what it sounds like when a British person says Vuori (Matt Fitzgerald, Getty Images)
New sponsor? ✅
Vuori — annoyingly pronounced vee-yor-ee and passes the it’s so soft test to command a high price
New serve motion? ✅
I’m not sure whether this just feels better for his arm, or if it’s helping him with something tactical like accuracy/power/consistency, but Draper has gone from a pinpoint serve to platform. Aka he doesn’t bring his back foot up anymore.
Platform (left) vs. Pinpoint (Right)
New significant other? ❌
Ladies let me know if you see him on Hinge.
Looking Ahead
I hope Draper is back for good. I love his game. I love his demeanor on and off the court. I love a good Sutton accent.
And most of all, I’m super hyped about his return because I still think he can push Sincaraz in best of 5. Why?
Because he has the trifecta in his tool belt — he can hit big, he can move, and he can hit big on the move. All three different skills that are very hard to master off of both wings.
Fingers crossed he stays healthy!
Trivia
Which WTA player said this all-time great quote about Maria Sharapova?
“She is as mean as a snake, she reminds me of me.”
A. Amélie Mauresmo
B. Aryna Sabalenka
C. Ana Ivanovic
D. Martina Hingis
Find out at the bottom!
Champs of the Week
Bird trophy goes hard (X/@skysportstennis)
🏆 Jess Pegula took home her 4th WTA 1000 title on Sunday, beating Elena Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 in Dubai. The win helps her maintain her No. 5 ranking.
🥇 Alcaraz is now 12-0 to start 2026. He politely destroyed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-1 in the finals of Doha in under an hour. The win puts him 3,000 points ahead of Sinner.
Around the Net
Would hate to look back and see Demon gaining on me (IG/@tennisphere_)
Some of the best tennis content I found on the internet this week…
😂 This post of the top ATP players photoshopped onto different Winter Olympic sports had me cracking up
📹 These court-level points from Tiafoe & Tien’s 3-set thriller in Delray Beach are so good
📜 Want a bit more to read? One of my favorite tennis writers, Hugh Clarke, wrote a superb piece on the Shelton vs. Fritz final in Dallas last weekend
Thanks for reading!
Daniel 🤠
ps - the world needs that Rublev/Medvedev bob sled team
Answer
D. Martina Hingis
Feels sort of like a back-handed compliment 😜 (Julie Jacobson / Associated Press)
Bonus
(atptour.com)
The ATP would like you to know Jack Draper is a serious gym bro who puts creatine in the brim of his hat so that when he sweats it soaks into his body to give him more bicep power.
