Greater than something, Liam Draxl is targeted on enhancing.
That has been his main aim 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 complete matches in singles and doubles. To play that a lot tennis in a single 12 months means it’s a must to be profitable matches—and Draxl has definitely carried out his share of profitable in 2024.
“It was undoubtedly a superb 12 months,” stated Draxl in a latest interview with Match Level Canada.“I really feel like I’ve discovered my groove being on the highway rather a lot, enjoying 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 remaining.
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 12 months 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 12 months 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. Stepping into that [200] rating vary—that’s undoubtedly the subsequent step for me.”
That subsequent step is one thing one in every of his former teammates achieved in 2024. Draxl has watched with satisfaction 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 remaining on the Almaty Open in Kazakhstan.
“It’s been tremendous cool watching and rooting him on,” stated the Newmarket native.“Clearly, we spent a lot time collectively at college. We’re the identical age, each Canadian. It offers me a little bit of hope and perception—considering if one in every of my good pals and teammates can break by way of, perhaps it’s doable 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 enjoying in a wide range of settings.
“I used to be enjoying doubles in leagues, grownup clinics with my dad—simply enjoying with everybody and anybody. I believe it uncovered me to plenty of various things throughout the sport and I’m actually grateful for that.”
On the courtroom, Draxl is understood for his fiery perspective, aggressive depth, and relentless spirit. It’s no shock that his idol rising up was a not too long ago retired 22-time Grand Slam champion.
“I used to be a Rafa [Nadal] man for certain. I simply beloved his depth, his competitiveness. The entire psychological aspect of how he did issues was so spectacular.”
Whereas his pace, mentality, and defensive abilities are strengths, Draxl is aware of he must develop a extra offensive recreation to succeed in the subsequent stage.
“I’m extra of a grinder and it’s actually bodily. In the event you’re making an attempt to grind each match, how real looking 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 a giant distinction for me. That, and making an attempt to play a bit extra offense on the forehand.”
Learn: Crew Canada set to face Hungary at 2025 Davis Cup Qualifiers
Though his major 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 supplied invaluable expertise.
Picture: Puerto Vallarta Open – Draxl and Sigouin have fun profitable the doubles crown
“It helps your singles. It helps you alter to the circumstances, get on the match courtroom—it’s rather less strain. There are such a lot of positives to enjoying 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 house.
“I miss my household and my family members. I believe that’s the toughest half—being remoted out right here, enjoying tournaments, going from lodge room to lodge room. That’s the largest problem for certain.”
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.
