Latest news with #Draper
eNCA
11 hours ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Draper ready to fill Murray's shoes as Britain's Wimbledon hope
Jack Draper insists he can cope with the pressure of replacing Andy Murray as Britain's leading contender to win Wimbledon. Murray ended the 77-year wait for a British winner of the Wimbledon men's singles title when he beat Novak Djokovic in the 2013 final. The Scot won Wimbledon again three years later during an iconic career that included three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals and a spell as world number one. Murray retired following the 2024 Paris Olympics, but British world number four Draper has already emerged as a worthy successor to the 38-year-old. Now Draper knows he has to prove he can handle the expectations of the British sporting public at his home Grand Slam. "Yeah, for sure. I think obviously when Andy retired, they said I was the next in line for that," Draper told reporters at the All England Club on Saturday. "Obviously Andy has done an unbelievable job. He's been incredibly successful and has become adored by the nation. It's obviously big shoes to fill. I'm aware of that. "At the same time I'm confident in myself that hopefully I can inspire people like Andy has done. "I'll keep trying to show my best tennis out there, to hopefully present myself as the player and the person I want to be." Murray has been a useful resource for Draper since the 23-year-old burst onto the scene with a run to the US Open last 16 in 2023. And Draper won't be shy about asking Murray for advice on how to deal with the Wimbledon spotlight. - Mentor Murray - "Obviously Andy has given me an amazing amount of feedback and advice over the years. I think one of the biggest things is everyone is on their different journey," Draper said. "I know Andy's right there for me if I need him any time. There may come a point where I ask him a few things, and I'm sure he'll come back and be extremely helpful and supportive, as always." Draper, who start his Wimbledon campaign against Argentina's Sebastian Baez on Tuesday, has never been past the second round in his three Wimbledon appearances. This year's draw poses a host of threats to the Londoner's dreams of emulating Murray's Wimbledon success. Draper is scheduled to face former Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic in the second round and Alexander Bublik, who beat him in the recent French Open, in the third round. The draw seeds Draper to meet seven-time Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic in the last eight, world number Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final. "I haven't looked at that at all. I look at my first round. I respect every person in the draw," he said. "Obviously you guys have asked me a lot about the pressure and all that sort of stuff. I'm not thinking about that at all." Draper's victory at Indian Wells in March was his first ATP Masters 1000 title, building on his maiden Grand Slam semi-final appearance at last year's US Open. After a rocky spell when he struggled to adapt to the gruelling demands of the ATP Tour, Draper now feels comfortable on and off the court. "I think maturity, taking responsibility for my actions. When I was younger, it's tough. My friends went to university. I suppose they had an extended period of their childhood or their time to have fun," he said. "Sometimes you want to just take a break, but you can't in a sport like tennis. I would say that's the most challenging thing about being on the tour. "For me it was a process and was definitely something I really struggled with at first. I suppose just growing up." By Steven Griffiths
The Hindu
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Wimbledon 2025: Draper ready to fill Murray's shoes as home hope
Jack Draper insists he can cope with the pressure of replacing Andy Murray as Britain's leading contender to win Wimbledon 2025. Murray ended the 77-year wait for a British winner of the Wimbledon men's singles title when he beat Novak Djokovic in the 2013 final. The Scot won Wimbledon again three years later during an iconic career that included three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals and a spell as world number one. Murray retired following the 2024 Paris Olympics, but British world number four Draper has already emerged as a worthy successor to the 38-year-old. READ | Djokovic feels Wimbledon is his best chance of winning record-breaking 25th Grand Slam Now, Draper knows he has to prove he can handle the expectations of the British sporting public at his home Grand Slam. 'Yeah, for sure. I think obviously when Andy retired, they said I was the next in line for that,' Draper told reporters at the All England Club on Saturday. 'Obviously Andy has done an unbelievable job. He's been incredibly successful and has become adored by the nation. It's obviously big shoes to fill. I'm aware of that. 'At the same time I'm confident in myself that hopefully I can inspire people like Andy has done. 'I'll keep trying to show my best tennis out there, to hopefully present myself as the player and the person I want to be.' Murray has been a useful resource for Draper since the 23-year-old burst onto the scene with a run to the US Open last 16 in 2023. And Draper won't be shy about asking Murray for advice on how to deal with the Wimbledon spotlight. Mentor Murray 'Obviously, Andy has given me an amazing amount of feedback and advice over the years. I think one of the biggest things is everyone is on their different journey,' Draper said. 'I know Andy's right there for me if I need him any time. There may come a point where I ask him a few things, and I'm sure he'll come back and be extremely helpful and supportive, as always.' Draper, who start his Wimbledon campaign against Argentina's Sebastian Baez on Tuesday, has never been past the second round in his three Wimbledon appearances. ALSO READ | Wimbledon 2025, men's draw This year's draw poses a host of threats to the Londoner's dreams of emulating Murray's Wimbledon success. Draper is scheduled to face former Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic in the second round and Alexander Bublik, who beat him in the recent French Open, in the third round. The draw seeds Draper to meet seven-time Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic in the last eight, world number Jannik Sinner in the semifinals and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final. 'I haven't looked at that at all. I look at my first round. I respect every person in the draw,' he said. 'Obviously you guys have asked me a lot about the pressure and all that sort of stuff. I'm not thinking about that at all.' Draper's victory at Indian Wells in March was his first ATP Masters 1000 title, building on his maiden Grand Slam semifinal appearance at last year's US Open. After a rocky spell when he struggled to adapt to the gruelling demands of the ATP Tour, Draper now feels comfortable on and off the court. 'I think maturity, taking responsibility for my actions. When I was younger, it's tough. My friends went to university. I suppose they had an extended period of their childhood or their time to have fun,' he said. 'Sometimes you want to just take a break, but you can't in a sport like tennis. I would say that's the most challenging thing about being on the tour. 'For me it was a process and was definitely something I really struggled with at first. I suppose just growing up.'
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
And breathe...Britain's Draper calm before entering Wimbledon pressure cooker
LONDON - British tennis players come under the spotlight at Wimbledon like nowhere else and the full glare will be trained on world number four Jack Draper as he leads a sizeable home assault at the All England Club starting on Monday. The 23-year-old left-hander's rapid rise up the rankings means he is the highest British seed since two-time winner Andy Murray arrived as defending champion in 2017. Draper's run to the U.S. Open semi-final last year and his title this year at Indian Wells have raised expectations that he is ready to emulate Murray and win the title. The hype is already building up and should he avoid any early banana skins and make a deep run, Draper knows the weight of expectation will grow more heavy on his broad shoulders. Dealing with life in the Wimbledon pressure cooker will be a huge test for a player who has won only two matches in his three previous main draw appearances at the All England Club. But he says employing breathing coach Ann Coxhead has helped him to cope with the anxiety he experienced earlier in his career and which occasionally led to him vomiting on court. "It was important for me in tennis where there's such small margins, such small percentages," Draper told reporters at a sultry and tranquil Wimbledon on Saturday. "The work I've done with her has been invaluable. It's been a real asset to my tennis. I think I'm still a work in progress with it, but definitely my physicality and my general well-being on the court has improved." Draper faces dangerous 38th-ranked Argentine Sebastian Baez in the first round on Tuesday and things will not get much easier after that with former U.S. Open winner and Wimbledon runner-up Marin Cilic a likely second-round opponent. Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic is a potential quarter-final barrier and then it could be world number one Jannik Sinner and two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Sensibly, Draper is not looking too far ahead. "I look at my first round, who I have. I respect every person in the draw. Obviously I've got Baez on Tuesday, and I'm not looking further than that," he said. "I know he's a strong player. He's here off his own merit." Draper and British women's number one Emma Raducanu will lead a 23-strong home contingent in the singles draws, including eight wild cards, the most since 1984. While Draper is happy to talk up his chances, Raducanu, who stunned the tennis world by winning the U.S. Open as a teenaged qualifier in 2021, says she has lower expectations. "Truthfully I don't expect much from myself this year," she told reporters. "I know I've just been dealing with certain things. I just want to go out there and embrace the moment. I want to embrace the occasion." She will start on Monday against compatriot Mingge Xu, one of three British teenaged wild cards in the women's draw. "I think it's a very dangerous match, very difficult. I think Mimi is a really, really good player," Raducanu said. "For her it's one where there's nothing to lose. I remember when I had my first Wimbledon here and I was 18. It's a great feeling. You just feel, like, completely fearless." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Tennis-And breathe...Britain's Draper calm before entering Wimbledon pressure cooker
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 28, 2025 Britain's Jack Draper during a practice session REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge LONDON (Reuters) -British tennis players come under the spotlight at Wimbledon like nowhere else and the full glare will be trained on world number four Jack Draper as he leads a sizeable home assault at the All England Club starting on Monday. The 23-year-old left-hander's rapid rise up the rankings means he is the highest British seed since two-time winner Andy Murray arrived as defending champion in 2017. Draper's run to the U.S. Open semi-final last year and his title this year at Indian Wells have raised expectations that he is ready to emulate Murray and win the title. The hype is already building up and should he avoid any early banana skins and make a deep run, Draper knows the weight of expectation will grow more heavy on his broad shoulders. Dealing with life in the Wimbledon pressure cooker will be a huge test for a player who has won only two matches in his three previous main draw appearances at the All England Club. But he says employing breathing coach Ann Coxhead has helped him to cope with the anxiety he experienced earlier in his career and which occasionally led to him vomiting on court. "It was important for me in tennis where there's such small margins, such small percentages," Draper told reporters at a sultry and tranquil Wimbledon on Saturday. "The work I've done with her has been invaluable. It's been a real asset to my tennis. I think I'm still a work in progress with it, but definitely my physicality and my general well-being on the court has improved." Draper faces dangerous 38th-ranked Argentine Sebastian Baez in the first round on Tuesday and things will not get much easier after that with former U.S. Open winner and Wimbledon runner-up Marin Cilic a likely second-round opponent. Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic is a potential quarter-final barrier and then it could be world number one Jannik Sinner and two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Sensibly, Draper is not looking too far ahead. "I look at my first round, who I have. I respect every person in the draw. Obviously I've got Baez on Tuesday, and I'm not looking further than that," he said. "I know he's a strong player. He's here off his own merit." Draper and British women's number one Emma Raducanu will lead a 23-strong home contingent in the singles draws, including eight wild cards, the most since 1984. While Draper is happy to talk up his chances, Raducanu, who stunned the tennis world by winning the U.S. Open as a teenaged qualifier in 2021, says she has lower expectations. "Truthfully I don't expect much from myself this year," she told reporters. "I know I've just been dealing with certain things. I just want to go out there and embrace the moment. I want to embrace the occasion." She will start on Monday against compatriot Mingge Xu, one of three British teenaged wild cards in the women's draw. "I think it's a very dangerous match, very difficult. I think Mimi is a really, really good player," Raducanu said. "For her it's one where there's nothing to lose. I remember when I had my first Wimbledon here and I was 18. It's a great feeling. You just feel, like, completely fearless." (Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Clare Fallon)
South Wales Guardian
18 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
British number one Jack Draper ready to carry hopes of a nation at Wimbledon
The 22-year-old goes into his home grand slam as the world number four and a genuine contender despite having only won two matches at the All England Club in his career. He was upset in the second round last year by compatriot Cameron Norrie in Murray's final appearance at Wimbledon but since then has reached the US Open semi-finals and won his first Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells. Laser-focused ⚡️#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2025 'Obviously when Andy retired, they said I was the next in line,' said Draper. 'I know it's Wimbledon coming up, but I think I didn't really think about it then, and I've improved so much and put myself in this position. 'I'll do my best to keep trying and improving, to show my best tennis out there, to hopefully present myself as the player and the person I want to be. 'Obviously Andy has done an unbelievable job of that and has been incredibly successful and has become adored by the nation. It's obviously big shoes to fill. I'm aware of that. At the same time I'm confident in myself that hopefully I can inspire people like Andy has done.' Draper is a good friend of Murray but he has not yet leaned too much on either the Scot's or predecessor Tim Henman's many years of experience of being the great British hope. 'I haven't spoken to them too much, in all honesty, but I know they're there if I need them,' said Draper, who is the only seed among 23 British singles hopefuls. 'Obviously, everyone has a different way of dealing with their emotions and dealing with things. 'Andy has given me an amazing amount of feedback and advice over the years. I think one of the biggest things is everyone is on their different journey. 'He also said he doesn't like to interfere. I think he's very reluctant to comment on anything to do with me because he understands what it's like to be in this position, to have people asking me stuff all the time about things. 'I know Andy's right there for me if I need him anytime. There may come a point where I ask him a few things, and I'm sure he'll come back and be extremely helpful and supportive, as always.' Draper's prospects do not appear to have been helped by a brutal draw that put his French Open conqueror Alexander Bublik, young star Jakub Mensik, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner all in his path. But the fourth seed is not yet looking past his first-round opponent, Argentina's Sebastian Baez. 'I haven't looked at that at all,' he said. 'I look at my first round, who I have. I respect every person in the draw. Obviously I've got Baez on Tuesday, and I'm not looking further than that. 'I know he's a strong player. He's here off his own merit. I look no further than him. I try and think about that as I go on. But, firstly, we'll start with that one.'
