Liam Draxl looks to follow in Diallo’s footsteps

Greater than something, Liam Draxl is concentrated on bettering.

That has been his major objective all through 2024, his first full season as an expert. The Canadian has needed to adapt to the week-to-week calls for of the Challenger Tour, logging over 125 whole matches in singles and doubles. To play that a lot tennis in a single yr means you must be successful matches—and Draxl has actually performed his share of successful in 2024.

“It was positively a very good yr,” mentioned Draxl in a latest interview with Match Level Canada. “I really feel like I’ve discovered my groove being on the street quite a bit, taking part in so many tournaments and matches.”

The previous Kentucky standout captured two ITF singles titles this fall on the M25 Edmonton and M25 Saint Augustin tournaments. He additionally reached the ultimate on the Puerto Vallarta Open in November, marking his second profession ATP Challenger closing.

Draxl, who claimed his first ATP Challenger doubles title again in 2021 whereas nonetheless in school, has transitioned easily to skilled tennis. He turned professional in June of final yr and promptly received his first Challenger singles title on the Calgary Nationwide Financial institution Challenger. Since then, he has maintained a gradual presence inside the highest 300 of the rankings. Now, he’s aiming even larger.

Learn extra: Canadian tennis enjoys distinctive yr on and off the courtroom

“It might be nice to get into Grand Slam qualifying pretty quickly. I really feel like these can be good experiences for me. Entering into that [200] rating vary—that’s positively the following step for me.”

That subsequent step is one thing certainly one of his former teammates achieved in 2024. Draxl has watched with pleasure as fellow Kentucky alumnus Gabriel Diallo soared into the Prime 100 after reaching the third spherical of the US Open, and advancing to his first profession ATP closing on the Almaty Open in Kazakhstan.

“It’s been tremendous cool watching and rooting him on,” mentioned the Newmarket native.“Clearly, we spent a lot time collectively in school. We’re the identical age, each Canadian. It provides me a little bit of hope and perception—considering if certainly one of my good associates and teammates can break by way of, possibly it’s potential for me to do the identical.”

Rising up in Newmarket, ON, Draxl’s path to skilled tennis was removed from typical. He didn’t attend costly academies or high-performance clinics. As an alternative, he discovered the sport by taking part in in a wide range of settings.

“I used to be taking part in doubles in leagues, grownup clinics with my dad—simply taking part in with everybody and anybody. I believe it uncovered me to loads of various things throughout the sport and I’m actually grateful for that.”

On the courtroom, Draxl is thought for his fiery perspective, aggressive depth, and relentless spirit. It’s no shock that his idol rising up was a just lately retired 22-time Grand Slam champion.

“I used to be a Rafa [Nadal] man for positive. I simply beloved his depth, his competitiveness. The entire psychological facet of how he did issues was so spectacular.”

Whereas his pace, mentality, and defensive expertise are strengths, Draxl is aware of he must develop a extra offensive sport to achieve the following stage.

“I’m extra of a grinder and it’s actually bodily. In case you’re making an attempt to grind each match, how reasonable is it to run side-to-side each match, week in and week out?” laughed the 23-year-old.

“I believe getting extra free factors on the serve could make an enormous distinction for me. That, and making an attempt to play a bit extra offense on the forehand.”

Learn: Group Canada set to face Hungary at 2025 Davis Cup Qualifiers

Though his fundamental profession focus is on singles, Draxl has additionally excelled in doubles this season. The 23-year-old has received six doubles titles, 5 on the Challenger stage, alongside companions like fellow Canadians Cleeve Harper (4 titles) and Benjamin Sigouin (two titles). His doubles success has boosted his rating to a career-high of No. 132 and offered invaluable expertise.

Photograph: Puerto Vallarta Open – Draxl and Sigouin rejoice successful the doubles crown

“It helps your singles. It helps you regulate to the situations, get on the match courtroom—it’s rather less strain. There are such a lot of positives to taking part in singles and doubles in case your physique’s feeling good.”

Whereas adapting to the skilled stage has been difficult, Draxl admits that the hardest hurdle is the time spent away from residence.

“I miss my household and my family members. I believe that’s the toughest half—being remoted out right here, taking part in tournaments, going from lodge room to lodge room. That’s the most important problem for positive.”

As Draxl continues to navigate the grind of the skilled circuit, his progress in 2024 means that larger milestones could also be on the horizon.

CLICK HERE to take heed to full interview on Match Level Canada.