How Jack Draper Organized The Shoes He Wore From His Youth

Jack Draper, the UK’s top singles tennis player, bought three Axel Arigato sneakers as soon as his first salary ran out. Not a wild splurge as one might expect, but three pairs of the same brand you’ve been wearing for years. Draper, now 24 years old, is one of the most exciting players in the world (or rather, the court). With Roland Garros fast approaching, he’s set to work on his first sneaker collaboration with his favorite brand, with three drops set to arrive alongside Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

Recently out of court due to injury, Draper has spent time immersing himself in design and photography, where most of us could only watch. These pursuits have made the designer’s relationship with Axel’s creative director Jens Werner very rich. Werner, for his part, says the collaboration pushed the color and material stories into new territory: “His true love for our sneakers, and the fresh perspective he brings to them… his vision reflects what a new era of athletics can be.”

This isn’t a sign that pulls a rising star into their rotation so much as a player who was converted long before someone offered him a deal. “I’ve loved Axel Arigato shoes since I was 17,” says Draper. “So to have the opportunity to collaborate with a brand that I love, it was amazing.”

We sat down with Draper to find out where it started and where it’s going.

You’ve been wearing Axel Arigato since you were 17. What did those sneakers represent to you then, and what do they represent now?

When I was 17 years old, I started to like Axels because they were very clean. It was a mix between very clean and very beautiful – but they also had a pattern, a certain style and edge to them that I loved. That is still true for me now.

Since this is your first sneaker collaboration, why is now the right time to enter the space with Axel Arigato?

I think it’s really cool to collaborate with Axel Arigato because that’s when I feel like fashion and style really came into tennis and that’s something I’ve been drawn to for the past few years. Being able to collaborate with Axel on something I really love, which is the shoe, makes me feel incredible about my tennis, but also what I can do in terms of style outside the court.

You worked closely with creative director Jens Werner. What did that creative process look like, especially considering your interest in photography and design?

It was great to work with Jens because it was interesting to see inside how the shoes are made and how the creation is made. As someone who loves photography and creating things, it was an honor to be a part of that and something I’m really interested in outside of tennis.

With Roland Garros winding down, how does starting a partnership with one of the sport’s biggest stages help you?

I think it’s going to be a really amazing time. Summer is coming, and you will be able to create a shoe connected to the Grand Slams with a real story behind them – and the mystery of what comes next – to create something very special.

Tennis has always had a unique relationship with style, from traditional whites to modern tennis shoes. What is your personal relationship to fashion and style?

My relationship and personal style is very liberal. I’d like to feel like I’m very versatile with my style, especially in sports – I always wear sportswear, but I’m very involved in the fashion industry with my Burberry representation. I think tennis is a great sport because everyone is unique, everyone is different, and everyone has a different way of playing – so it has a lot to do with personal style and the ability to express yourself and what you want to be.

This game feels like it’s having a cultural renaissance right now. What makes a tennis-inspired sneaker feel so relevant in 2026?

I really believe that Axel Arigato shoes are the best shoes for casual wear, I see them everywhere as I travel around the world. They have a huge community of people who love their shoes, so it’s great to introduce my favorite brand and brand to the tennis world.

You are currently number one in the UK. What would you like your fans to take away from this collaboration, and how do you hope they feel when they pick up a pair?

I hope more than anything that people who see me wearing their shoes are motivated to go out and buy a pair and try them on. Not only the collection I worked on, but also Axel Arigato as a brand is something that people must know. They make a huge difference to one’s style and go with anything. I haven’t heard a single wearer say that they don’t like the brand at all and love the way the shoes are combined with what they are.