Jack Draper joins forces with Alzheimer’s Society as grandmother battles dementia

During this holiday season, consider sparing a thought for one of Jack Draper’s biggest fans.

The 21-year-old has teamed up with Alzheimer’s Society as the latest “Sports Champion” to help raise awareness for the most common form of dementia and its devastating effects. The cause is a personal one for Draper, who opened up about what the unforgiving disease has taken away from his maternal grandmother Brenda and her loved ones.

“She has lost all physicality now. She doesn’t know who anyone is,” Draper revealed.

“My pa (grandfather) has done an incredible job to keep her going almost. It’s a full-time job. He is essentially her carer.”

A former tennis coach, his grandmother was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 70 in 2015. Her husband has continued with leading their occasional trips to Roehampton’s National Tennis Centre, but she can’t place her grandson on the court.

"This is probably the saddest part for me and my family, that she no longer recognizes or is able to communicate with us. Nana was a huge supporter of my tennis, and I wish she could see and appreciate all the things I've achieved so far as I know she would be very proud of me,” Draper said.

In 2023, the left-hander cracked the Top 40, advanced to the fourth round of the US Open and contested his first ATP final in Sofia. Seeing his grandmother is facing inspired Draper to join the fight to find a cure.

“It has definitely been really difficult for all of us. That’s why I think it’s important that this is something I want to do,” the Sutton native said. “Be an ambassador and support the Alzheimer’s Society.

“It is something that comes from my heart.”