From Boulter and Burrage to Draper's title tilt – the 23 Britons at Wimbledon

North Wales Chronicle

4 hours ago

Jack Draper goes into the tournament as a legitimate title challenger for the first time while the remainder range from teenage debutants to veterans potentially taking their final shot at SW19.
Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at the home contenders.
Katie Boulter, 28, world ranked 43
Jodie Burrage, 26, WR 154Burrage missed much of last season, including the grass-court swing, with injury and is still trying to kick-start her comeback.
Jay Clarke, 26, WR 196A first main draw appearance in three years for Clarke, who reached the second round in 2019 and played Roger Federer.
Oliver Crawford, 26, WR 248It will be a grand-slam main-draw debut for Crawford, who switched nationality from American to British at the beginning of 2024.
Jack Draper, 23, WR 4
Harriet Dart, 28, WR 152Dart has made it to the third round of Wimbledon twice before, including last year, when she won a tense clash against Boulter. This season has been a struggle.
Dan Evans, 35, WR 154The former British number one will make a 10th main-draw appearance. He needed a wild card after slipping down the rankings but has shown encouraging form.
Jacob Fearnley, 23, WR 51The Scot's incredible rise as a professional began on grass last year and has continued apace. Fearnley took a set off Novak Djokovic 12 months ago.
Arthur Fery, 22, WR 461
Billy Harris, 30, WR 151An inspiring story of perseverance, Harris made his Wimbledon debut last year as a wild card and is into the main draw of a grand slam on ranking for the first time.
Fran Jones, 24, WR 122A strong season so far for Jones, who is missing several fingers and toes because of a rare genetic condition but is close to breaking into the top 100 for the first time.
Sonay Kartal, 23, WR 51Kartal has made huge strides since reaching the third round of Wimbledon as a qualifier last summer, including winning a first WTA Tour title.
Hannah Klugman, 16, WR 573
George Loffhagen, 24, WR 293A former leading junior, Loffhagen made his main draw debut two years ago and has been rewarded for good form on the lower tours with a wild card.
Johannus Monday, 23, WR 224A 6ft 6in left-hander from Hull, Monday will make his grand-slam debut after starring on the US college circuit and making a strong start to his professional career.
Cameron Norrie, 29, WR 61Clay revitalised the fortunes of former British number one Norrie, who defeated Draper at Wimbledon last year and is a former semi-finalist.
Jack Pinnington Jones, 22, WR 281
Emma Raducanu, 22, WR 40Back at British number one following an encouraging few months, Raducanu is very at home on grass but has been handed an extremely tough draw.
Henry Searle, 19, WR 421Big-serving Searle became the first home champion of the boys' singles at Wimbledon in more than 60 years in 2023 and made his senior debut last year.
Mika Stojsavljevic, 16, WR 796The tall, big-striking teenager emphasised her potential by winning the US Open girls' singles title last year and is a major prospect.
Oliver Tarvet, 21, WR 733
Heather Watson, 33, WR 143A wild card means Watson will appear in the main draw at Wimbledon for a 15th straight edition. Results have been hard to come by but she loves playing on grass.
Mimi Xu, 17, WR 318The last of a trio of British teenage girls given wild cards, Welsh player Xu has twice beaten top-100 players on grass already this summer.