As well as disrupting his off-season, Draper's hip injury meant he was unable to play a warm-up event before the first Grand Slam of the year. In a bid to regain sharpness, he played practice sets against 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic and world number one Jannik Sinner last week on Rod Laver Arena.

British number one Jack Draper says he is better prepared to face the heat and overcome concerns about his fitness at this year's Australian Open.

After splitting sets with Aleksandar Vukic, the 15th seed found himself facing a set point in the third and obliterated his racket in frustration. It delayed the next point as Draper went to dig out a new racket and dampener while the crowd booed. But he was happy to give it back, jeering the fans on as commentators claimed he "lost the plot".

British No 1 Jack Draper comes through tough opening Australian Open test in five sets; watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ which is integrated into Sky TV,

Carlos Alcaraz said that he was looking forward to facing Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal of the hard court major at Melbourne Park. Alcaraz reached the last eight after Jack Draper retired due to injury.

Aussie fans will be baying for revenge when Aleksandar Vukic becomes the latest homegrown hero to square off against Jack Draper at the Australian Open on Friday. Draper ousted Thanasi Kokkinakis in a five-set epic on Wednesday night and the Brit will again play the role of antagonist when he stares down Vukic in the third round.

Jack Draper has had a short preparation this year for the first Grand Slam of the season, but after sterling five-set victories over useful Australians Thanasi Kokkinakis and Aleksandar Vukic, the Surrey ace may just about be ready to take on Carlos Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have set up a quarterfinal showdown at the Australian Open

Jack Draper came through a five ... of a gruelling win over Marcos Giron in intense Melbourne heat. It was cooler and breezier this time, with Draper's biggest problem against Argentinian Mariano ...

Djokovic has beaten Alcaraz four times in seven overall meetings, including a victory in the final at the Paris Olympics last August

Novak Djokovic surged into an Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz with a dominant victory on Sunday while women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka was a ruthless winner.