Tim Henman recently weighed in on the fluctuating form of Carlos Alcaraz and also cast an eye toward the growing expectations around Jack Draper’s potential run at Wimbledon.
Alcaraz heads into the clay-court swing looking to reset after back-to-back stumbles on the hard courts of Indian Wells and Miami. The Spaniard, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, couldn’t sustain his rhythm in the desert, bowing out in the semi-finals at Indian Wells to Draper after a patchy performance marked by inconsistency in both the opening and deciding sets. Things went further south in Miami, where David Goffin stunned him in his first match—a surprising upset given Alcaraz’s usual dominance on the big stage.
Despite those losses, it hasn’t been all gloom this season. The 21-year-old clinched his only title of the year so far at the Rotterdam Open in February. Earlier in the season, he reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and posted a solid run in Doha. However, his level has varied, raising questions about his form heading into the grueling clay stretch.
He’s gearing up for a return to the Monte Carlo Masters—only his second appearance there since 2022—before heading into a demanding schedule with planned appearances in Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome, all building toward his French Open title defense.
Offering his perspective during an interview with TNT Sports, Henman emphasized that there’s no need to sound the alarm bells on Alcaraz’s form. He believes the current dip is just part of the natural ebb and flow that comes with growth on the ATP Tour.
“I definitely don’t see it as a moment of crisis,” the former world No 4 said.
“He’s not playing his best tennis, but it’s all part of the journey of learning and understanding yourself.
“For me, shot selection is still an area that he can improve on. I think when he improves his shot selection, then he will become more consistent. And he’s one of the best players in the world. So I think he’s capable of winning any tournament that he enters.”
Henman’s analysis highlights a key aspect of Alcaraz’s game—his aggressive instincts sometimes get the better of him, especially under pressure. Fine-tuning his decision-making, Henman suggests, could be the final polish that elevates him into an even more formidable force across surfaces.
Shifting focus to fellow Brit Jack Draper, Henman touched on the young gun’s meteoric rise and what lies ahead—especially with Wimbledon fast approaching. Draper catapulted into the top 10 after a dazzling run to the Indian Wells Masters crown, a milestone that comes with increased scrutiny and higher expectations.
“I spoke to his brother Ben, who acts as one of his agents, and he was very aware of how Jack’s profile has just increased massively,” Henman explained.
“And obviously with Andy Murray retiring, Jack’s really stepped up to take the mantle of British No 1 on the men’s side.”
The torch, it seems, has been passed. Draper is now in the spotlight, and Henman believes the attention will only intensify once the grass-court season begins in earnest.
“Certainly, come Wimbledon, come the grass court season, that spotlight is going to be burning pretty brightly.”
Henman, though, remains confident that Draper has the tools to thrive under pressure. He praised the 22-year-old’s all-around development and his support system—a critical factor in handling the mental and physical demands of elite tennis.
“But I definitely think Jack has the capacity mentally, physically and technically to deal with it. And also, I think he’s got a very good team around him who will provide that support.
“So yes, it’s still a steep learning curve for Jack. He’s just broken into the top 10, but I think he’s playing brilliant tennis. I still think there’s plenty of areas that he can improve on.
“He’s got a busy clay court season coming up, but it will be exciting when he gets to the grass in the UK.”
As Alcaraz works to rediscover his rhythm and Draper adjusts to life under the tennis microscope, the weeks ahead promise to deliver compelling narratives on both ends of the court—from baseline battles in Rome to Centre Court dreams in London.