Draper dreaming big at Wimbledon: “I want to inspire people, like Andy Murray did”
The world No 4 says he feels like an entirely different player than last year as he leads British hopes at Wimbledon
Jack Draper, Queen’s 2025 – © Action Plus / Psnewz
Jack Draper admits he has “big shoes to fill” as he leads British hopes in the post-Andy Murray era.
But the world No 4, who won his first Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells earlier this year, believes he has the game and the belief to inspire people in the same way as the three-time Grand Slam champion, who retired after last summer’s Olympic Games.
“When Andy retired, they said I was the next in line for that,” Draper told reporters at Wimbledon on Saturday. “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 keep trying to do my best to keep try 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.”
“A very different player”
Draper left Queen’s Club admitting he had suffered from tonsillitis but after a few days off, he said he’s raring to go as he looks for a big run, having failed to get past the second round in three visits to date.
“I definitely feel like a very different player,” he said. “I feel like personally I’ve grown a lot again since last year. I think it’s a testament to the work I’ve done, to the people I have around me that have been with me through the ups and downs of my career so far.
“I think I have a lot more belief in myself physically, also as a tennis player, mentally. I feel like I’m very different in all areas. Obviously I still feel I can improve so, so much. I’m nowhere near hopefully where I want to get to as a player. Always trying to improve.
“But I’m happy to come here one year later with the amount of progress that I’ve made. I’m very proud of that.”
