Carlos Alcaraz Plays Jack Draper in Rome Quarter-final Today
Locker Room
May 14, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz against Jack Draper immediately summons images of a packed Centre Court at Wimbledon 2025 and excitement in the air.
It is a clash that could well take place at the spiritual home of tennis this summer.
Carlos Alcaraz playing Jack Draper at Wimbledon 2025 would place a huge premium on tickets. Everyone would want to be on Centre Court for that showdown.
Today the pair will do battle at the Italian Open in Rome. Alcaraz will start favourite – even though his form has been less than imperious.
Carlitos dropped the second set to Karen Khachanov in the round of sixteen but came through 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Khachanov is in form these days. But that struggle does suggest that Alcaraz is operating at slightly below his brilliant best on the clay so far.
Draper was caught cold in the previous round against Corentin Moutet. He didn’t know what had hit him early on against the Frenchman.
That may have been because Jack has tasted such consistent success this year – and sometimes the adrenalin simply isn’t there on tap for him in the way he would like.
There is nothing wrong with Draper’s game, though. He eventually prevailed 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz won’t be short of adrenalin if they face each other at Wimbledon 2025!
And today’s contest should also be a cracker. The Spaniard leads the head-to-head 3-2. But Draper beat Alcaraz at Indian Wells earlier this year – and he has taken two of their last three matches.
Alcaraz was the victor at the Australian Open. But interestingly it was Jack who came out on top on grass at Queen’s last year.
We all know what Carlos is capable of producing on grass once he sets his mind to it.
Carlos Alcaraz has been Wimbledon champion for the last two years after sparkling performances against Novak Djokovic. We expect him to be a major contender again at Wimbledon 2025.
But Jack Draper will have a massive following at Wimbledon 2025 too. And if the pressure doesn’t get to him, the home-grown talent has what it takes to go all the way.
Today’s contest in Rome will be a fascinating precursor to the most important action of the summer.