If opponents thought Jack Draper looked like a ‘UFC fighter’ earlier this year, they might think the beefed-up Briton resembles a WWE wrestler now.
World number five Draper hit the gym in a recent training block, continuing his work to solve the physical issues which hampered his early days as a professional.
Even when Draper reached the US Open semi-finals last year, questions still remained over his durability.
Twelve months on, the 23-year-old Englishman has returned to the scene of his breakout Grand Slam run feeling stronger – and looking notably ripped.
“I have worked incredibly hard to improve my physicality on the court,” said Draper, who plays Argentina’s Federico Agustin Gomez on Monday in his first-round match.
“I think part of it is my genetics and growing into a bit more of a man’s body. I think that took me a long time.”
Draper’s transformation has not gone unnoticed.
At the French Open in June, his fourth-round opponent Alexander Bublik was the one responsible for the UFC comparison – calling Draper’s physique “insane”.
The wolf-whistles when Draper revealed his bulging biceps in a sleeveless shirt at the US Open mixed doubles last week showed the fans are aware, too.
Standing 6ft 4in and weighing 90kg, Draper has developed an imposing frame which he believes is necessary to compete at the top of the men’s game.
The metamorphosis has been accelerated by the hard graft demanded by fitness trainer Matt Little and physio Shane Annun – who were core pillars of Andy Murray’s team before joining Draper earlier this year.
“I have started to really enjoy improving in the [gym] aspect,” Draper said.
“Before I didn’t really want to push myself. I didn’t really want to feel strong almost.
“But I feel great in myself now and I understand the benefits it has on the match court and on these big stages, as well.”