Hannah Klugman has helping hand in Jack Draper to navigate highs and lows of tennis

Last June as a 15-year-old wild card, Hannah Klugman made it to the final round of Wimbledon qualifying on a surface British players traditionally prefer.

Nearly twelve months later, Klugman has posted her best junior singles result across the English Channel on red clay. Seeded No. 8 in the Roland Garros girls’ event, the now 16-year-old finds herself two wins away from lifting the trophy.

“Everyone says the Brits don’t like the clay. But I actually really like it!” Klugman told Prakash Amritraj on Tennis Channel.

“I think it really suits my game. Me and my coach this year, we said let’s do a long bloc on clay. We’ve done two months and I’m really loving it. I’m not ready to get off yet and go to grass.”

As Klugman navigates the external noise that comes with an upward trajectory in the sport, a compatriot of note is ready to guide her through it all. Earlier this year, world No. 5 Jack Draper had lunch with his fellow Londoner and encouraged Klugman to reach out when she needs a hand.

“We go through a lot of mentally tough times. Last year, I kind of struggled a bit. He spoke to me a lot,” Klugman shared. “He had a time when he also struggled.

“He really helped me and he’s been someone who’s always there. He said to me, ‘whenever you need help, I’m here for you.’ That was really nice.”

Klugman isn’t running away from the spotlight, either. The energetic teen, now in online schooling, keeps “normal” by staying close to her friends. Top 25-ranked juniors Mika Stojsavljevic (No. 6) and Mingge “Mimi” Xu (No. 24) provide plenty of local competition to ensure no one feels alone in the path being taken.

“I think it’s pretty cool. I love it. I’m still young, I’m enjoying it. It’s a long journey, I’ve realized,” said Klugman, who has also contested a pair of junior Grand Slam doubles finals. “I just take it in my stride and I’m excited. We’ve got an amazing bunch of juniors right now. We definitely push each other to be better.”

A stretch of play on home soil awaits after Paris, with her backyard tournament waiting in the wings. A good time with her friends and another chat with Draper just may be on the calendar of events, too.

He really helped me and he’s been someone who’s always there. Hannah Klugman on Jack Draper