Jack Draper has just discovered how hard it is to carry the British flag at Wimbledon. As the fourth seed acknowledged, barely half an hour after his unceremonious exit, “It makes me think that Andy’s achievement, winning here twice, is just unbelievable.”
It reflected well on Draper that he even managed to form a cogent sentence, let alone give an honest and precise analysis of the reasons for his defeat.
After losing to 36-year-old Marin Cilic in a match unaccountably scheduled on No1 Court, Draper must have felt like retreating to the Wimbledon “quiet room” for a spot of silent reflection. Or, alternatively, like pulling out his rackets one by one and smashing them on the locker-room floor.
Instead, Draper fronted bravely up to the inevitable media inquisition, and admitted that the match had “highlighted a lot of weaknesses in my game. I wasn’t able to deal with his pace of ball into my forehand”.
Draper added: “The last couple weeks has been good for me to see that, even though I’ve had such an amazing progression the last 12 months, I’ve still got a lot of areas that I need to improve in my game. In some ways that’s exciting, and in some ways that’s hard to deal with because I thought I was ahead of where I am.”
The result continued Draper’s strange Wimbledon hoodoo. Since making his Centre Court debut against Novak Djokovic in 2021, he has clocked up a disappointing tally of three wins and four defeats, with his only victory over a top-100 player against a limping Sebastian Baez on Tuesday.
But Draper rejected the idea that pressure and expectation laid at the root of this surprising shortfall. “You guys [in the media] mention it all the time [but] I wasn’t good enough today,” he said. “I think there’s a bit of a misconception like, just because I’m a six-foot-four lefty, I must be incredible on grass.
“I won Stuttgart,” Draper added, in reference to the maiden ATP title he picked up on German grass courts a year ago, “but I haven’t had loads of experience on it and I don’t think I’ve played incredibly well on it before.
“I’ve never gone past the second round here. Some players find it harder than others. I’m obviously very determined to change that and make it a surface that is going to be great for me.”
The best tennis of Draper’s career to date came on the slow hard courts of Indian Wells in March, where he had enough time on the ball to use a big forehand swing and apply lashings of heavy topspin. He was also devastating during certain periods of last September’s US Open, where he reached the semi-finals before losing out to his close friend – and the eventual champion – Jannik Sinner.
If he is to become the fifth Briton to win a slam in the professional era, Draper may be better placed to do so at one of the hard-court majors – in New York or Melbourne – than on the clay of Paris or the grass of Wimbledon. Perhaps, like Murray at the 2012 US Open, he can open his account overseas before bringing the show back to SW19.
As Draper himself admitted, he has plenty of work ahead of him to lift one of the sport’s biggest trophies. But he has improved dramatically over the past year, and is not the sort of man to back away from a challenge.
From a British perspective, this match had a sinking feeling about it from the very first game, which Cilic opened with a pair of unreturnable serves and a forehand winner up the line.
As it turned out, this would be the recipe for Cilic’s entire performance, which delivered his best win on ranking for more than three years. Cilic kept firing down those massive serves from his 6ft 6in frame, striking 16 aces in all. And even when the ball came back, he was dominating Draper off the forehand wing.
Cilic was swinging with the freedom of a man who had come into this tournament with little form – despite a recent Challenger victory in Nottingham – and zero expectation. Eight years after he lost to Roger Federer in the final here, many thought he was a spent force.
But Draper will be disappointed with the way he tightened up in the final moments of this 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 defeat. There was a route out of jail here, given that Cilic has not been accustomed to playing long matches lately. Had this gone to a deciding set, Draper would have been a strong favourite.
Unfortunately, a couple of dicey service games at the end of the fourth set provided clear evidence of Draper’s sweaty-palmed anxiety.
He got away with the first one, courtesy of a shanked forehand on break point down that happened – through sheer good fortune – to find the court. But his growing inability to play with any sort of conviction allowed Cilic to take charge, and finally finish him off with a fusillade of powerful forehands.
Upset alert 🚨
Croatia’s Marin Cilic stuns Jack Draper 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 to knock the No.4 seed out of The Championships 2025 😮#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/rZP6NQjWRy
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2025
The shape of the match was very similar to the one that Draper had lost to another red-lining opponent, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, at Roland Garros a month ago.
There, too, he dropped the opening two sets in what felt like a blink of an eye, before having chances to take the contest to a decider. There, too, he couldn’t convert crucial forehand opportunities when he most needed to.
Still, at least Draper understands where he needs to go from here. “In some ways it’s a good thing,” he said. “It highlighted a lot of areas of my game which I need to continue to improve on if I want to be consistently a top player and going deep in these slams. You’re going to come unstuck if you’re not good enough.”
08:30 PM BST
More Wimbledon agony for Draper
08:27 PM BST
No shock result on Centre
It was not only the quality of Jannik Sinner’s shot-making that felt so ominous, but also the sheer ruthlessness of this performance on Centre Court. Sinner was in full tennis-bot mode throughout his victory, playing almost entirely without expression as he pulverised poor Aleksandar Vukic, the world No 93.
Sinner moved through this evening match with such haste that you suspected he had a dinner booking in Wimbledon village. Dominant from the start, the top seed brought a level of power and precision that his opponent simply could not counter. When Vukic attempted to add more speed to his shots, the ball only came back at him even faster.
After winning just two games in the first two sets, Vukic at least caused occasional irritation for Sinner in the third. At one point, the Sinner system temporarily malfunctioned as he slipped on the grass surface. As he served for the match in the third, he was forced to save a break point with a glorious winner.
Much to the frustration of the Centre Court crowd, who had sided with the underdog, an upset never seemed likely. Sinner ultimately cruised to a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 victory.
08:25 PM BST
Draper on finding a way to disrupt players who are redlining
Yes, definitely. Both of them played outstanding level. I got to expect that now. Obviously, I’ve got a bit of a target on my back with my ranking. He’s obviously someone who wants to get back to where he used to be.
I think, yeah, there’s definitely areas of my game where I need to, is he playing so well because I’m letting him play that way? Same with Bublik. Are they playing that well because I’m dropping the ball short, I’m not doing enough with the ball? I know they still have to execute. I think both of them were having amazing days. But that’s what good players do, they punish you.
So yeah, I mean, I think in some ways it’s a good thing. It highlighted a lot of areas of my game which I need to continue to improve on if I want to be consistently a top player and going deep in these slams because everyone is a great player. You’re going to come unstuck if you’re in the good enough.
08:22 PM BST
Draper on dealing with expectation and pressure
I mean, it makes me think that Andy’s achievement of what he did winning here twice, just unbelievable. Like, it’s not the pressure, it’s not the whatever. I just didn’t play good enough today. I lost to a better player.
I wasn’t going out there thinking I was under so much pressure. Like, I don’t know, obviously you guys mention it all the time. It’s just I wasn’t good enough today. That’s the main reason. I just was not able to find the level I wanted. I came up short.
08:14 PM BST
Draper on questionable line calls
Yeah, I don’t think it’s 100 per cent accurate, in all honesty. A couple of the ones today, it showed, like, a mark on the court. There’s no way the chalk would have showed.
I guess it can’t be 100 per cent accurate. It’s millimeters. It’s for both ways. I think it’s a shame, tradition that the umpires aren’t involved. It’s obviously something that makes it easier for the players because we don’t have to worry about line calls.
08:08 PM BST
Draper reacts
The grass highlighted a lot of weaknesses in my game. I just didn’t play good enough and I lost to a better player. I’m proud of the way I turned it around and found solutions. The match can go very quickly on grass.
08:02 PM BST
Draper speaking in post-match press conference
British No 1 hasn’t wasted any time after losing and is speaking to the media.
Quotes to come but so far he has been very forthright and honest. He admits he didn’t play well and lost to the better player.
07:54 PM BST
Cilic reacts
My emotions are just incredible. Where I was two years ago, I can’t even describe. It has been a long journey but I never lost any doubt. It was a long and testing period, plus a huge challenge for me in this part of my career to come back and play at this level. To play in front of this crowd and against Jack [Draper] is incredible, so thanks everyone for your great sportsmanship.
It has been a long career for me. I have been really dedicated on training for my whole life and, of course, huge credit to my team and to everyone who is helping me on this journey. I’ve spent the last few weeks in the United Kingdom enjoying myself, playing through some Challengers and winning matches. I’m just feeling great and hoping I can continue to play well.
07:49 PM BST
WATCH: The moment Draper’s Wimbledon ended
Upset alert 🚨
Croatia’s Marin Cilic stuns Jack Draper 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 to knock the No.4 seed out of The Championships 2025 😮#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/rZP6NQjWRy
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2025
07:41 PM BST
Draper fails to make it past the second round again
Wow. Draper’s draw was tough coming into the tournament but not many people saw that coming. A huge upset and another top seed exits.
Plenty of Draper to ponder after what is a very disappointing result.
07:35 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 4-6 Cilic
Bad error by Cilic to start the game. Good play by him to force a short ball from Draper but he inexplicably nets the forehand, 15-15.
Tension filled point, both players finding the baseline before Draper slices a drop shot into the net, 15-30. Cilic forehand clips the net, Draper chases after it and flicks an angled backhand that Cilic can’t reach, 30-30. Massive point coming up.
Deep forehand by Cilic into the corner, Draper nets his forehand. Match point…
Great rally. Draper finds the baseline on at least two occasions. But Cilic gets the upper hand, pushes Draper wide, hits a forehand into the other corner, Draper chases after it and is forced to hit a cross court backhand and the ball drops in the tramlines.
GAME SET MATCH CILIC!!
07:27 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 4-5 Cilic*
Aces 15 and 16 from Cilic to start the game. But two forehand errors in a row make it 30-30. Another forehand miscue from Draper into the tramlines, 40-30. 133mph first serve is unreturned.
Cilic holds again and Draper must serve to stay in the match.
07:23 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 4-4 Cilic
Bully ball tennis from Cilic overwhelms Draper and forces the Briton to net a backhand, 15-30. Alarm bells ringing now.
Draper completely shanks a forehand high and wide, two break points for Cilic. Draper saves the first with a 126mph ace.
Then the second when Cilic nets a nervy backhand. The line was free for Cilic to hit and he couldn’t. Relief for Draper.
132mph ace by Draper to hold. How he needed that!
Given that Cilic has only played two matches longer than three hours in the last three years, Draper would be a strong favourite in a deciding set. But first he has to get there.
Cilic isn’t moving quite as smoothly as he was in the first two sets, but he’s still serving brilliantly and Draper can’t afford to get passive or nervy. Easier said than done.
07:19 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 3-4 Cilic*
Draper is getting increasingly agitated by balls he thinks are out but aren’t being called. No line judges to complain about any more. The AI has taken over now.
Cilic eases through another service game. Normal service has resumed for him.
07:17 PM BST
Elsewhere at Wimbledon tonight…
Elsewhere at Wimbledon tonight, world No 1 Jannik Sinner is operating with the sort of alpha-male energy that will alarm all of the main contenders in the men’s draw. Sinner has claimed the first set against Aleksandar Vukic, the world No 93, in some style.
Before tonight’s meeting, Vukic had allowed himself to hope that Sinner would still be adjusting to the grass surface at this stage of the tournament. Sadly for the Australian, that has proven to be extremely wishful thinking. There is notable contrast in mobility here, and Sinner also boasts far greater power and accuracy from the back of the court. He wins the first set 6-1 on Centre Court.
07:13 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 3-3 Cilic
Serve is king at the moment. Slightly surprising that we haven’t had a tie-break yet. Draper looks in control of the game at 40-15 but Cilic takes him to deuce with great hustle for a 36-year-old and he flicks an angled backhand winner.
But Draper survives to hold again. It’s getting tense.
07:08 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 2-3 Cilic*
Draper cannot believe Cilic’s first serve was called in. Replays showed the ball caught the back of the line by the thinnest of margins.
Another Cilic forehand winner makes it 40-15. Draper gets Cilic’s 130mph first serve back into play, Cilic has an easy put away, Draper anticipates and gets the ball into play, Cilic then nets the volley. What a steal from Draper. Deuce.
Wild forehand return by Draper goes long and Cilic escapes. Draper lost his cool on that one.
07:02 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 2-2 Cilic
Draper needs to avoid the Cilic forehand at all costs. The Croatian drills a forehand down the line past Draper’s outstretched racket, 30-15. Draper forehand long makes it 40-30.
Draper goes heavy into Cilic’s forehand and for once it breaks down. That is a very good sign for the Briton.
06:59 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-2 Cilic*
Serve hold to love for Cilic which will be a relief after the pressure he’s been under. He’s now up to 44 winners which is double what Draper has.
06:57 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-1 Cilic
Draper is riding the momentum he’s built and coming through his service games with minimum fuss. He holds and moves into position to attack Cilic’s serve.
06:55 PM BST
Fourth set: Draper 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 0-1 Cilic*
That set got away from Cilic rather quickly. Have we seen the best of him? His backhand looks especially vulnerable at the moment and has to be the area Draper attacks.
Cilic starts the set with a hold but you get the sense he is a bit tense.
06:50 PM BST
‘You would expect Draper to be the fitter man’
An excellent riposte there from Draper to drag a set back but he is going to have to maintain the highest standards to keep the comeback alive.
Despite Cilic’s endless service prevarications, which are understandably riling the crowd, this match has scooted along quickly and it is only at just under two hours. You would expect Draper to be the fitter man, given Cilic’s age (36) and recent knee issues, but fitness may not come into it much.
06:47 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 3-6, 6-1 Cilic
Timely ace by Draper after falling behind, makes it 15-30. Good footwork by Draper and he whips a forehand winner into the corner, 30-all.
119mph ace brings up a set point. Swinging second serve by Draper, Cilic miscues his backhand return and Draper takes the set.
06:44 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 3-6, 5-1 Cilic*
Simon Briggs, sitting next to me on Court No 1, is not happy with Draper continually playing to Cilic’s forehand. He’s been punished several times today and isn’t learning his lesson.
But Draper earns himself a break point when Cilic flicks a backhand into the tramlines. 129mph wide ace by Cilic. Perfection.
Another break point for Draper after pushing Cilic wide and drawing the forehand error. Cilic backhand wide, Draper breaks again.
06:40 PM BST
‘Draper has a good record in five-setters’
There was a huge point with Cilic serving at 1-2, 0-15, when Draper finally let rip on his forehand, bullying Cilic for once rather than vice versa. That set up the break and brought the crowd back into things. But it’s a long way back.
If he can ride this wave into a decider, Draper has a good record in five-setters: five wins from six attempts. However, he has never come back successfully from two sets down.
06:38 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 3-6, 4-1 Cilic
Crowd are fully engaged now and willing Draper on. This set is far from done, especially the way Cilic has been playing so far.
Poor drop shot by Draper, Cilic races up to it and hits a forehand cross court, Draper digs out a backhand down the line and Cilic nets the volley, 30-15. Draper ace, 40-15.
Oh dear, back-to-back errors by Draper allow Cilic back into the game. He responds with swinging first serve that’s unreturned. Then an ace down the T to hold.
06:34 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 3-6, 3-1 Cilic*
HERE WE GO! Draper ups the aggression and intensity. He starts with a forehand winner, then rushes Cilic into netting back-to-back backhands. Three break points.
Cilic saves the first with a forehand up the line that’s too much for Draper. Then the second with an unreturned 136mph first serve.
Time violation for Cilic for taking too long to serve. Patient play by Draper, he digs in then drills a backhand up the line that Cilic can’t get back.
DRAPER BREAKS. Game on folks.
06:27 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 3-6, 2-1 Cilic
‘Come on’ says Draper as he jogs to his chair after holding serve to 15. Still yet to see something drastically different from Draper that will shake Cilic from his current dominance.
06:25 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 3-6, 1-1 Cilic*
Another Cilic service game goes by without Draper making an impact. I’m not sure a comeback is on.
06:21 PM BST
Third set: Draper* 4-6, 3-6, 1-0 Cilic
One small positive for Draper is that this hasn’t been the most physical of matches. Drapper should be capable of going two more hours at least if he somehow gets back into this.
He makes a decent start here, holding to 15.
06:19 PM BST
‘Draper’s timing fell apart at times’
Draper’s timing fell apart at times in that set, as he felt the shadow of a possible upset. At least he did seem to amend his tactics towards the end, looking for the Cilic backhand a little more often.
We will be into Andy Murray territory if he finds some way out of this jam.
06:17 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 3-6 Cilic*
Cilic first serve catches the line for an ace, 30-15. Cilic first serve and Draper nets, two set points. After 82 minutes, Cilic wraps up the set with another unreturned first serve.
06:15 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 3-5 Cilic
The precision and power from the racket of Cilic has been seriously impressive. I have not seen him play this well for so long, in a very long time.
Draper hasn’t been at his best but Cilic has not allowed him to be. Cilic to serve for the set next.
06:13 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 2-5 Cilic*
Visible frustration by Draper toward his support box after a backhand goes long. To compound his woes, Cilic blasts two forehand winners past him and closes the game with an ace.
This has been seriously impressive by Cilic.
06:06 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 2-4 Cilic
Draper is winning 70 per cent of points on his first serve which is one of the primary reasons why he has struggled so far. Just nine winners as well which is very unusual.
119mph ace down the T by Draper and he holds.
06:04 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 1-4 Cilic*
Court No 1 needs to play its part and get behind Draper. Enough grumbling and groaning. Cilic has been susceptible to pressure in his career.
No sign so far, though as he holds easily again.
06:01 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 1-3 Cilic
Cilic has won five of the six matches he has contested against left-handed players at Wimbledon. He has an 86-36 record against left-handed players at Tour level.
That is not a great stat if you are Draper. But at least he gets on the scoreboard here after a forehand winner.
05:59 PM BST
‘Draper needs to try to get his head together’
Not a great return game from Draper there. He needs to try to get his head together as it looks like his best chance is to pull off one of those five-set comebacks we saw in Australia in January.
05:56 PM BST
Draper 4-6, 0-3 Cilic*
The crowd seem very shocked by what they are seeing. Murmurs and groans every time Draper loses a point. Draper’s own body language isn’t great. His tactic of playing to Cilic’s forehand is not working and he hasn’t tweaked it yet.
Big first serve by Cilic is unreturned and Cilic consolidates the break.
05:54 PM BST
Draper* 4-6, 0-2 Cilic
Groans from the crowd as Draper flicks a tame forehand long, 15-30. Draper finds himself in no mans land, leaves the ball short, Cilic steps inside and drills a forehand winner down the line, two break points.
Draper serves into Cilic’s forehand and gets a deep reply. He doesn’t react quick enough and Draper nets a backhand.
Cilic breaks.
05:50 PM BST
Second set: Draper 4-6, 0-1 Cilic*
Cilic moves to 18 winners with his latest backhand strike. Cilic double fault makes it, 30-30. Deep return by Draper catches out Cilic, who nets a forehand. Break point.
Cilic finds a first set, goes on the attack and Draper’s defensive slice is into the tramlines, deuce. More ball crushing tennis from Cilic and Draper can’t keep his ball in play.
This has to be the best Cilic has played in a long time.
05:44 PM BST
‘Horrible start for Draper’
A horrible start for Draper, who hasn’t done too much wrong but still finds himself a set down. The fact that he loves playing into right-handers’ forehands may not be helping him here, as Cilic’s forehand is on fire. Where most lefties aim 60-40 into their opponents’ backhand side, Draper is an unusual case. But he might need to change his tactics up because he’s constantly on the back foot here against Cilic’s remarkable power and relentless depth.
05:42 PM BST
Draper* 4-6 Cilic
Perfect start by Cilic. First a forehand winner after dragging Draper wide then a volley winner. Huge hitting from Cilic from the baseline, overwhelming Draper, who goes long.
Draper swinging second serve, Cilic backhand return winner down the line. Wow. Stunning.
Cilic breaks to take the set.
05:39 PM BST
Draper 4-5 Cilic*
Draper yet to fully get to grips with the Cilic serve. The Croatian is serving very well to be fair and he holds with an ace that flies away from Draper.
We’re in the business end of the set now. One break could make or break the set.
05:35 PM BST
Draper* 4-4 Cilic
Dangerous times for Draper as a backhand into the net makes it 0-30. Draper leaves the ball short, Cilic steps in and whips a forehand past him. Three break points.
Draper saves the first, then the second with an ace. The third with an unreturned second serve. Solid hitting from the baseline by Draper and he survives.
05:28 PM BST
Draper 3-4 Cilic*
Bang. Draper crushes a forehand cross court winner to move to 15-30. Cilic responds with a forehand winner of his own.
But forehand long by Cilic gives Draper his first break point. Saved by Cilic when Draper nets a backhand return. Draper goes for too much with his forehand return and Cilic survives.
05:22 PM BST
Draper* 3-3 Cilic
First love hold of the match for Draper should help him settle and build confidence. Time to get to work on Cilic’s service.
05:21 PM BST
‘Something quite compelling – but also awkward – about Cilic’s service preparation’
There’s something quite compelling – but also awkward – about Cilic’s service preparation. He’s like a man with a stutter giving a best-man’s speech: you’re never quite sure whether he’s going to get stuck.
05:20 PM BST
Draper 2-3 Cilic*
Another routine service hold for Cilic, this time to 15. There’s a bit of anxiety in the crowd. If they expected a stroll in the sun for Draper, that’s not what they are getting.
05:15 PM BST
Draper* 2-2 Cilic
Not often you see Draper being pulled across the baseline but that is what Cilic is doing at the moment. But Draper is coping well and forcing Cilic to hit and extra ball. He is also serving very well which is keeping him out of trouble and he needs it after giving the Croatian a break point.
Wide second serve is good and Cilic nets a backhand. Big fist pump from Draper after that. Draper eventually survives but he’s having to weather a storm at this stage of the match.
05:08 PM BST
‘Alarm bells are ringing early’
Scary start from Cilic with what was basically three straight winners on the first three points. And he has barely dropped his level from there.
Given that Draper is not long recovered from the Alexander Bublik ambush in Paris, where he ran into a man playing the best match of his life, alarm bells are ringing early.
05:06 PM BST
Draper 1-2 Cilic*
Ideal playing conditions on Court No 1. Very little wind and not as hot as Monday and Tuesday this week. Cilic misjudges a deep backhand return by Draper and leaves the ball. There’s no out call and replay shows it caught the back edge, 0-30.
Good hustle from Cilic to stay in the point and Draper flicks a backhand wide, 30-30. Cilic sees out the game with an overhead smash winner to keep up his strong start.
05:01 PM BST
Draper* 1-1 Cilic
Cilic is not as dangerous as he was between 2009 and 2015 but he still has the attributes to make life awkward. He’s also a former Wimbledon finalist so he has pedigree on grass. A service hold to 15 gets Draper on the board.
04:58 PM BST
First set: Jack Draper 0-1 Marin Cilic* (*denotes server)
A statement of intent from Cilic. One unreturned second serve, a forehand winner and an ace to move to 40-0. Draper shows off his firepower with a forehand winner down the line but a backhand into the net allows Cilic to allow.
Draper won’t have things all his own way today.
04:52 PM BST
Here we go!
Today hasn’t been the most entertaining of days for tennis but this should be a cracker.
The players are warming up. The crowd on Court No 1 is filling up.
Cilic won the toss and will serve first.
The third round awaits 👀
Jack Draper and Marin Cilic head out to No.1 Court for their R2 meeting 🤝#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/nNykDs5ZaB
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2025
04:46 PM BST
Time for Draper to make his mark at Wimbledon
On his fourth Wimbledon appearance, Draper is aiming to reach the third round for the first time. His best grand slam result came at the US Open last year when he reached the semi-finals, where he was beaten by Jannik Sinner.
04:38 PM BST
Tale of the tennis tape
04:28 PM BST
Draper has been fuelled by ‘nepo baby’ jibes
There was a period in Jack Draper’s life – the best part of a decade, in fact – when he could barely enter a tournament without someone bringing up his parentage.
As the son of Roger Draper, the man who ran British tennis from 2007 to 2013, Jack was the ultimate nepo baby. Rival parents saw him as a lucky swine, unfairly promoted ahead of their own little darlings.
This is entirely typical of junior tennis: a seething cauldron of jealousy and spite that would make an irresistible reality TV show.
Such resentments inevitably fed through to the other young players. When I first interviewed Draper, in the summer of 2020, he told me, “I would often go to junior tournaments and have 15 boys on the balcony I had never seen before willing me on to lose, making noises before I serve.”
One wonders what all those hecklers are thinking now, as Draper prepares to enter Wimbledon as the fourth seed. Do they still believe that his career benefited from preferential treatment? Do they imagine themselves walking out on No1 Court, if only they had been similarly favoured?
Click here to read the rest of Simon’s piece.
04:13 PM BST
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04:06 PM BST
Draper vs Cilic
Hello and welcome to coverage from Wimbledon as Jack Draper resumes his campaign against Marin Cilic.
The British No 1 has once again been scheduled on Court No 1 over Centre Court but if he plays like he did on Tuesday, he should have too much for Cilic.
The fourth seed breezed into the second round of Wimbledon, dropping just five games in little over an hour before Sebastian Baez withdrew injured early in the third set.
The Argentinian had slipped in the opening game of the second set but Draper was utterly in control from the first point of the contest.
Wimbledon has so far been Draper’s least successful grand slam but that is something he is determined to change.
“I think grass in general is a surface I’m still trying to find my best level on,” he said.
“On the hard courts at US Open, even on the clay this year, I think I found my best level for what I can play right now. I feel like I haven’t yet found that on the grass.
“I feel like it’s coming, so I’m looking forward to that, that moment when it all sort of comes together and I can really show my best level.
“I think I’ve still got so much to unlock on the grass. I think that’s really exciting for me. I love Wimbledon. I think if there’s any tournament I want to play my best in, any tournament that I want to win, it’s this one.
“I’m going to do everything in my power and everything in my control to get to that point.”
Draper admits he was stung by a second-round loss to compatriot Cameron Norrie last year.
“It did get to me, the pressure I was putting on myself,” said the 23-year-old. “I definitely look back a year on and I feel a lot calmer in myself. This year I feel more confident in my ability and my ability not only to play but to problem solve, to know how to play in five sets.”
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