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Jack Draper has opened up about the heartbreaking impact of his grandmother\u2019s battle with dementia in announcing his new partnership with Alzheimer\u2019s Society.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old\u2019s maternal grandmother Brenda has been one of the biggest supporters of his career but she no longer recognises him after being diagnosed with the condition in 2015.<\/p>\n
Draper is the latest \u2018sports champion\u2019 for Alzheimer\u2019s Society and will use his role to raise awareness of dementia.<\/p>\n
\u201cTennis comes from my nana,\u201d said Draper. \u201cShe was a tennis coach when she was younger. My mum played. I was always very fortunate in my family that it seemed like everyone could hit a tennis ball. Me and my brother played when we were young.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was always our biggest fan along with my granddad. Very, very hard-working people. Just loved sport in general.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has lost all physicality now. She doesn\u2019t know who anyone is. My pa (grandfather) has done an incredible job to keep her going almost. It\u2019s a full-time job. He is essentially her carer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has definitely been really difficult for all of us. That\u2019s why I think it\u2019s important that this is something I want to do. Be an ambassador and support the Alzheimer\u2019s Society. It is something that comes from my heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy pa says that now I have got to the point where you can watch it on TV and I\u2019m playing against great players, she\u2019s looking at the wall. Which is difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe appreciates what I am doing. He says he is always very proud of me and she would be, too. Without her, I wouldn\u2019t be playing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alzheimer\u2019s Society is the UK\u2019s leading dementia charity and helps those living with the disease as well as funding research.<\/p>\n
Chief executive Kate Lee said: \u201cWe\u2019re so incredibly moved that, in order to raise much-needed awareness, Jack has decided to share publicly the heartbreaking details of his nana\u2019s dementia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll make so many others feel less alone. Every day we hear stories about people losing the ability to communicate, socialise and enjoy the sports they once loved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must end the devastation caused by dementia, and we\u2019re delighted to have Jack on board as our new Alzheimer\u2019s Society sports champion to help us do that.\u201d<\/p>\n