British tennis ace to use Wimbledon heartache to climb from world No 444 to No 1

The long recovery road from a painful wrist surgery doesn’t appear to have dented Jay Clarke’s spirits in achieving the ultimate goal of becoming the world No 1. That’s according to his coach Alex Slabinsky, who joined Clarke’s team a few months ago.

Slabinsky, who co-runs popular online coaching tool Top Tennis Training, was a former pro himself and was the British men’s No 4 in 2008 and 2009. For Clarke to match his coach’s achievement, the 24-year-old will need to get to Jack Draper’s level at No 75 in the world.

However, Clarke has struggled to maintain an upward trajectory after his breakthrough win in the first round of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships to set up a Centre Court clash with Roger Federer. Slabinsky reveals part of Clarke’s issues have stemmed from an ongoing wrist injury with the Brit finally undergoing surgery after the Surbiton Challenger.

It means Clarke’s hopes of a dream run at Wimbledon had to wait until next year and beyond. Climbing up the rankings from his current No 444 spot will be Clarke’s priority when he returns and Slabinsky is keen to set realistic goals every year.

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But the 37-year-old also believes Clarke has all the tools to one day become the British No 1 and even take over the sport as the world’s best. “I think he should be pushing further than what I ever got to,” Slabinsky told Express Sport.

“I got to British No 4 and I got to play the Grand Slams – Wimbledon three times – so I understand the level. But I think Jay has the potential to push that level even further and break into that top 100 and then become British No 1 and then push on from there.

“Obviously we will be re-evaluating the goals. I’m sure for him he’d love to be world No 1 and that’s what he’d be pushing and I think he believes it that he could do it and its just about getting him back on full fitness and getting the right team, which he’s got now, to take him all the way.” Slabinsky has ruled out any chance of Clarke returning in time for the US Open qualifiers with the attention now solely on best preparing for the 2024 season.

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The most important role now for Slabinsky, he says, is helping Clarke eventually return to the level he was back in 2019 and beyond. “The player will know what they’re feeling and it’s up to me to bring out the best out of him and get his confidence back,” he added.

“He’s shown that he can play good tennis, he’s been 150 in the world and he’s come back to that level a few times. He’s had various injuries that took him back and he’s shown that the level is there and it’s just about getting him back to full fitness and making him believe again that he can play.”

It was only back in May that Clarke won a Futures event in Italy, evidence Slabinsky believes is proof the 24-year-old can find another level on his return after carrying an injury for several years. The hard work starts now for Clarke though, who will no doubt be hoping he can join the contingent of Brits fighting to improve upon this year’s showing in 2024.

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