The secrets of Jack Draper's incredible glow up: How Wimbledon hopeful, 23, went from a gangly teen to heartthrob model with cover-star looks

Daily Mail​

a day ago

He's been dubbed the heir to Andy Murray's throne after securing the rank of British No 1 and world No 5.
But it's not only in the world of tennis that Jack Draper has impressed. With his athletic frame and good looks, and fans such as the Princess of Wales and Anna Wintour, he seems destined for stardom both on and off the court.
Firmly entering his heartthrob era, the sportsman is now regularly praised for his 'hotness' by admirers on X, formerly Twitter.
Meanwhile, earlier this summer, there was a frenzied online reaction to Draper's most recent haircut, shaved down at the sides with an unruly, blonde-flecked arrangement on top.
'Jack Draper undergoes hair transformation - leaving fans in disbelief,' said Hello Magazine.
But, his rise off the court has been a long time coming, with Draper having been signed to IMG models, the same agency that represents the likes of Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum and Alek Wek, at the age of 18.
The tennis pro has regularly conducted shoots for a variety of brands, something that has seen him secure lucrative partnership deals with Nike, Vodafone and Dunlop among others.
Now an ambassador for Burberry, he's also been recognised by British high society bible Tatler, who credited the sportsman as having a 'jawline sharper than a Stanley knife', and also Vogue.
Last June, he had his first shoot with the popular fashion magazine and said: 'I quite enjoy being in front of the camera. If I'm looking good, that is.'
This work has also seen Draper build an unlikely relationship with Anna Wintour, Vogue's Editor-in-Chief, arguably the most powerful woman in fashion.
In fact, Wintour watched Draper in action during his run to the US Open semi-finals last September and at the time, the Brit opened up on his budding friendship with her.
'It was amazing to have her here,' he said. 'I met her for the first time the other day and she seemed really lovely. She said to me how much she loves tennis.
'I don't know too much about my fashion yet, but she was saying how much she loves coming to the US Open and hopefully she will be here for me further on in the tournament.'
In that shoot with Vogue, Draper was snapped on a field of daisies gazing into the camera sporting his carefully styled curly brown hair and showing off his sharp jawline.
In another picture, he was shown looking off to the side, leaning against a vibrant red wall with his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
Meanwhile, at London Fashion Week in September, Draper was sat next to Wintour on the front row at the Burberry Show, highlighting his rise over recent months, while he was also joined by star athletes Katrina Johnson-Thompson and Keely Hodgkinson.
Speaking on Wintour shortly afterwards, he added: 'She's really supportive. It was amazing to see that (the fashion) world.'
Meanwhile, last August, Draper appeared on the cover of Tatler magazine alongside tennis players Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie.
He was also chosen to go on the first ever issue of Bagel, a new tennis magazine that launched last summer.
Looking dapper in a blue 90s style Nike sweatshirt and a pair of black shorts, Draper posed on a court, showing off his toned legs and sturdy build.
Despite his rise in the modelling world, Draper has previously admitted that it is something he doesn't necessarily relish.
Speaking to the Times earlier this year, he said: 'All this model stuff, I like doing it at times, but I'm not a massive fan of it in all honesty, (but I make exceptions for) really cool (projects).'
He later added: 'I did some stuff I wasn't actually comfortable with at the time (at a younger age),' when reflecting on an early shoot where he posed with his shirt off and his hair in a side parting.
'They're great photos, don't get me wrong, but if I was to go back in time I should have been more educated.'
Draper's more laid back nature has been evident elsewhere when he previously insisted his agent Ben, who is his brother, is keen for him to post more on social media to boost his profile and give fans further insight into his life.
However, the 23-year-old, who has been hailed for his humble nature, has previously admitted that he 'doesn't like showing people too much'.
But he seemingly knows just what some of his supporters desire, with his Instagram account being filled with topless workout videos, modelling shots and tennis snaps.
One snap of him in New York City sitting on a wall in front of the skyscrapers racked up 32,000 'likes' and many admiring comments.
One user said: '1. Good luck at the US Open, I'll be supporting you all the way 2. Why are you so attractive.' Another wrote: 'So handsome,' while a third penned: 'Weird way to propose but ok.'
Observers have been struck by Draper's physical transformation from frail to muscle-bound, while battling back from what seemed an injury jinx.
After being small as a child he went through a sudden growth spurt in his teenage years to reach 6ft 4in.
Now, thanks to his good looks, the 23-year-old has quickly become an online hit, with edits of him made by fans on TikTok and Instagram that have racked up thousands of views - with many admitting they have a new crush.
But despite Draper's huge successes in the game and as a model, the tennis star has revealed he remains single.
Draper himself has tried to explain why, pointing to the fact he is 'always on the road', adding: 'Always playing, always training. It's tough to sustain any form of relationship.'
He has previously insisted that 'I like to have my fun, obviously', before highlighting the travel, focus and discipline needed to hone his talent.
In the aforementioned interview with the Times, Draper also said finding a partner is not currently his priority.
Given Draper's single status alongside another British tennis star in Emma Raducanu, 22, some fans have often yearned for the pair to become a super-couple in the sport.
However, despite their close relationship, which goes back to their years growing up and coming through the tennis ranks, they are firmly just friends.
'She has always been there for me,' Draper recently recalled about Raducanu. 'I've always been there for her.
'She's extremely bubbly, very kind, very thoughtful, always giggling, really smart. A really, really, really good girl.'
As one of the biggest stars in the game, Draper is shining brightly on and off the court
For now, Draper's attention turns to Wimbledon. He has a tough draw - should he get through to the quarter final, he will potentially face Novak Djokovic, who has amassed a record-breaking number of slam titles during his career.
Draper was suffering with a hip injury earlier this year, but by March, he revealed he was feeling much better.
He said at the time: 'At the start of the year I was struggling a bit, but my body feels good now. I feel really strong in every area of my game.'
Speaking on Saturday, Draper, who enters Wimbledon as the fourth seeded player, discussed the prospect of filling Andy Murray 's shoes as the focus of Brit tennis fans, and the man who will carry with him the hearts and hopes of millions every time he steps on to Centre Court.
'When Andy retired they said I was next in line,' said Draper, who was 27th in the world when Murray called it quits. 'I didn't really think about it then but I have improved so much and put myself in this position.
'Andy has been incredibly successful and has become adored by the nation. They are obviously big shoes to fill, I'm aware of that. At the same time I'm confident in myself that I can inspire people like Andy has done.'