Why Jack Draper’s biggest opponent may not be across the net at Wimbledon

Kevin Palmer 20 Jun 2025 5:11 PM

Jack Draper at Queen's Club

The relief pouring through Jack Draper said much about the challenge he is facing on home soil this summer.

As the British No 1 battled past America’s Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 on the Andy Murray Arena, he not only booked his spot in the semi-finals at the Queen’s Club but also secured a return to the top four of the ATP Rankings on Monday.

That will give Draper the prized No 4 seeding berth at Wimbledon, which will only serve to build the hype around him ahead of his first big shot at the All England Club title.

Draper was just outside of the seeded positions when he was beaten in the second round at Wimbledon last year, with the expectations that have long been placed on him as the next big hope of British tennis bubbling under the surface 12 months ago.

Now those expectations are set to bear down on Draper in a fashion that could affect a young man who has not always looked comfortable in the glare of the spotlight.

More Tennis News

‘Jack Draper will be the next new Grand Slam champion’, predict former world No 1s

Jack Draper serves up brutal condemnation of online trolls after shocking Katie Boulter interview

Andy Murray took time to adjust to the huge pressure that goes with being the big British hope at Wimbledon and Draper now faces a similar period of adjustment after a year that has changed his image from pretender to contender.

He is now a three-time winner on the ATP Tour, an ATP Masters 1000 winner at Indian Wells and he is one of the few players who Carlos Alcaraz openly admits sends a shiver of fear down his spine.

Yet it was evident on the two occasions Draper served for sets against Nakashima that he was feeling the heat not just from the London sun, but also the hopes of a crowd desperate to see him win.

Draper came close to losing both of the games when he served for the first and third sets, but he found a way to control his nerves and his game to get over the winning line.

“The support I’ve received this week has been amazing,” said Draper.

“I am used to battling on the grass but to be in the semi-final here is something I’ve wanted since I was a kid, so it means everything to me.

“I think at times I’ve not played some great tennis and in those moments I’ve just tried to believe in myself and I think that is where the confidence has come from.

“Hopefully, I can carry onto the next round and get better.

“I keep on getting asked about top four seeding but I have to get to the semis first! To get to that position is an incredible feeling. It is a testament to the work me my team and have done and I am proud of that.”

That No 4 seeding at Wimbledon will add to the pressure that will mount on the 23-year-old as he will be thrust onto the front and back pages of newspapers and promoted relentlessly on BBC television and digital platforms in the UK as a potential Wimbledon winner.

We have seen this kind of hype break young players in the past and tennis legend Chris Evert hopes Draper is not the next one to suffer from expectation overload.

“Jack Draper, what is happening with him,” began Evert, in an exclusive interview with Tennis365.

“He looks so fit, a good looking boy. He has a lot going for him and I just hope the press leave him alone and let him get on with playing tennis.

“I’m surprised that he is playing so well on the clay. He has a lot of power in his game, but he has not been known for his consistency up to now.

“What I notice is he has a real professional attitude to the game. He looks so fit. He seems to have the belief that he belongs at the top.

“I’m just so impressed with what we are seeing from Jack, but let’s keep things real. He is still a young guy and it will take time for him to get right where he wants to be.

“Now I just hope the press in England don’t put too much pressure on him. Let him play his game, let him see what he can do at Wimbledon. Let’s not say he is going to win it this year.”

Evert’s sentiments should be heard, but the agenda for those looking to get as much hype around the mighty Wimbledon machine will not hold back in their acclaim of Draper.

He will be put on Centre Court for each match in the evening slot that is designed to attract huge television audiences to watch him in the UK and his status as the star of the show may take some getting used to.

Murray eventually found a way to turn expectations into positive energy. Now Draper has to follow that lead.