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Jack Draper ready to copy bold Carlos Alcaraz move as Brit adopts Rafael Nadal look
Reach Daily Express | August 27, 2025 6:39 AM CST

Jack Draper is ready to add Carlos Alcaraz's new buzzcut to his Rafa Nadal-style kit as he sharpens up at the US Open. The British No.1's tennis game appeared rusty during his first-round win in his first match since Wimbledon.

But the clean-shaven Burberry model looked the part in his new sleeveless top to show off his physique. His new Vuori clothing range was not the biggest fashion statement at Flushing Meadows with five-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz sporting a No.1 cut here. Frances Tiafoe joked: "It's horrible. It's definitely terrible."

But Draper insisted: "I love it. I love it. Maybe I will get one at some point. I had a goatee a few weeks ago but obviously, with Vuori coming out this week, I had to maybe look a bit cleaner for that. But I love it when people change up the hairstyles. The media probably will slay it but I think it looks cool. He's done well to mix it up there."

After his opening round win over world No.67 Reilly Opelka, Alcaraz admitted the new cropped hair was not totally intentional.

"I felt like my hair was really long already, and before the tournament I just really wanted to get a haircut,' said the world No.2. "My brother misunderstood the machine. He just cut it. Then, the only way to fix it was just to shave it off. To be honest, it's not that bad, I guess. Some people like it, some people don't like it!"

Draper's new kit with Californian company Vuori has had more favourable reviews. The British left-hander has always wanted to play like his idol Nadal - and now he looks like him. "I grew up watching Rafa and I have always wanted to rock the sleeveless look one day," said the No.5 seed. "There was a time a couple of years ago that I didn't have the arms for it. I would have been laughed off the court! Now it is coming together."

But last year's semi-finalist here, who faces Belgian world No.48 Zizou Bergs in the second round, said he was "just working hard on my cardio" as he returned from a left arm injury. "I am not working on my arms now," he said. "I don't do bench press. I'm not training to be Mr. Olympia.

"I don't need any more size up top - I have mixed out. I used the versaclimber a lot. I have probably added muscle in my lower body." Draper's service speed was down and he claimed he was "a bit happy" to play four sets to get game practice after 53 days out.

"The arm for me is not a question mark, it's more behind my preparation for the tournament, how quickly am I going to be able to get back to playing top level on the hard courts like I was at the start of the year," he said. "I want to go a long way in this draw, and I believe I can."


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