Jack Draper makes passionate six-word statement after ‘not pretty’ Australian Open win

declared “sometimes it’s about showing some heart” after coming through a five-set battle to win his first Grand Slam match since reaching the US Open semi-finals.

But the British No.1 warned his hip injury is “still not perfect” before his Ashes battle with Thanasi Kokkinakis in the next round.

Draper, 23, had to cancel a pre-season training block with and pull out of the United Cup because of the hip problem which affected his back. And he looked rusty and out of energy as he fell two sets to one against Argentine world No.41 Mariano Navone.

But despite 88 unforced errors, the No.15 seed fought back to win 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2 in four hours and one minute.

“I think I showed a lot of heart today,” he said. “Wasn’t pretty at all. Was nowhere near my best. Sometimes it’s about showing some heart.

“I’m really, really proud of that today. I think that’s a big win. Yeah, just glad to get through it. Another five-set match under my belt.”

Draper won his first ever five-set match here in the first round last year against American Marcos Giron. But the winner of two ATP Tour titles last year looked in pain when he sat down for his press conference.

He said: “Obviously didn’t play for maybe three weeks. It was a difficult period because I had a hip problem that sort of went into my back, as well. I was struggling to walk at times. Took a long time to settle down. It’s still something I’m managing. Still not perfect. I’m having to sort of really look after my body, not push too hard, push when I need to, all these sorts of things.

“It was difficult to miss out on Sydney. I came here and have been building up slowly. Yeah, that’s the thing. We said it’s not going to feel the same as the back end of last year. I’m going to have to play matches again, build up that confidence, I’m going to have to feel comfortable in my body and earn the wins.

“Today it wasn’t pretty at all, but I have a feeling that the more matches I play, the more points I build up, the more I put myself in match situations, my tennis is going to get a lot better.”