Former British primary Tim Henman has backed younger Jack Draper to interrupt into the world’s high 10 so long as he continues to concentrate on his preparation and efficiency.
Draper received his first profession ATP Tour title in Stuttgart earlier this summer season after which defeated Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s Membership to turn out to be the brand new British No. 1.
It is a far cry from the place he was 12 months in the past, when he missed your complete grass-court season with a shoulder drawback.
The 22-year-old southpaw has struggled with some bodily illnesses previously, however is now on an upward trajectory and is ranked within the high 30 on this planet.
Because the U.S. Open approaches, the British media and public will see Draper because the pure alternative for Murray after the 37-year-old introduced the top of his profession on the Paris Olympics.
“I do not suppose there’s that a lot stress on Draper, however it’s essential that Jack actually focuses and continues to focus as a result of it depends upon his preparation and efficiency. He is seeking to enhance completely different facets of his sport,” Henman advised sky sports activities.
“He isn’t making an attempt to be the brand new Andy Murray. He is making an attempt to be Jack Draper and he is improved so much.
“I feel it is extra of the identical. He is trending in the precise route, he is high 30 on this planet, he will be seeded in New York, so I hope he can get into the highest 20 and high 10 within the close to future.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
A glance again at Draper’s sensational victory on the Stuttgart Open
Draper has a profitable working relationship with Cameron Norrie’s former coach James Trotman and two-time Australian Open semi-finalist Wayne Ferreira.
Henman believes successful his first title in Stuttgart will play an enormous position in Draper’s confidence and perception heading into the US Open, the place the Brit reached the fourth spherical final 12 months.
“The challenges across the tennis schedule are within the calendar, we do have 4 Grand Slams in about three months’ time. You have acquired Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the Olympics and now you have acquired The Olympics, so it’s totally troublesome to be on the high of all these occasions, however to win your first title on tour is a large breakthrough,” Henman stated.
“It is nice to your personal private confidence as a result of Jack hasn’t been performing to the extent he wished to in the previous couple of tournaments, however he can definitely attempt to flip that round as we go into the U.S. Open.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Draper says he knew his time was coming after successful his first ATP title and changing into Britain’s No. 1
Regardless of successful in Germany, Draper was unable to capitalize on the successful momentum and suffered early exits at Wimbledon and Montreal, however Henman will not be nervous in regards to the outcomes and believes they may come to move over time.
The four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist stated: “We’re nonetheless actually studying his sport and enjoying the largest and finest tournaments as a result of he is nonetheless constructing the muse and the momentum.
“He was injured final 12 months and did not play the complete schedule, so I feel simply being on the market and persevering with to enhance – generally it is easy to get caught up in outcomes and issues, but when he retains working onerous and retains working in the precise areas then the outcomes will come, As a result of he is an important participant.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Draper stated he was “not fairly the place he wished to be” earlier than enjoying within the Madrid Open earlier this 12 months
What’s coming to Sky Sports activities Tennis?
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Uncover all of the methods to look at tennis on Sky Sports activities, together with the US Open, ATP and WTA Excursions
On the eve of the final Grand Slam of 2024, the US Open, you possibly can watch all of tennis’s largest stars compete sky sports activities dwell after they compete throughout the onerous courtroom season.
- Cincinnati Open (ATP 1000) – Deadline August 19
- Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000) – Ends August 19
- Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250) – August 18-24
- Cleveland Land Tennis (WTA 250) – August 18-24
- GNP Seguros Open, Monterrey (WTA 500) – August 19-24
- US Open (ATP/WTA) – August 26 – September 8
Watch WTA and ATP Tour occasions all through 2024 on Sky Sports activities Tennis. Watch Sky Sports activities Tennis and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month-to-month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
