Jack Draper Mentions Andy Murray’s Achievements After Wimbledon Dream Ruined by Marin Cilic

British hope Jack Draper once again failed to progress beyond the second round of Wimbledon.

Jack Draper Mentions Andy Murray’s Achievements After Wimbledon Dream Ruined by Marin Cilic

Jack Draper, Andy Murray, Marin Cilic (Image via X/Tatler, The Tennis Letter)

Jack Draper became one of the top 10 players to lose in the early rounds of Wimbledon. After receiving a walkover from Sebastian Baez, Draper couldn’t overcome veteran Marin Cilic, losing the match with a 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 scoreline.

The British No.1 at the press conference was asked if the reason behind his defeat could be due to his succumbing before the pressure and expectations from the fans and media. He denied this and simply blamed his performance for the exit, while also lauding compatriot Andy Murray, the winner of two Wimbledon titles.

I mean…it makes me think that Andy’s achievement of what he did, winning here twice, is just unbelievable. Because, 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’m under so much pressure.’ I don’t know.

Murray called time on his career at the Paris Olympics last year after winning three Grand Slam titles. He later joined his longtime rival Novak Djokovic‘s team as his coach, but after six months, they ended the partnership. He then joined Redrice Ventures, a London-based investment firm, as an associate partner.

This is the third time Draper lost without progressing to the third round of Wimbledon following the 2022 and 2024 seasons. He was one of the favorites to win, given that he had produced consistent performances this season.

Draper produced his best in a Major event when he reached the semifinals of the US Open last year. Apart from him, other top 10 players who crashed out of Wimbledon are: Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, Holger Rune, and Daniil Medvedev.

Cilic, on the other hand, was the finalist here in 2017, losing the match to 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer. The 2014 US Open champion, who knocked out Raphael Collignon in the first round, will next lock horns with Jaume Munar.

Cilic, also the finalist of the 2018 Australian, last lifted a title at the 2024 Hangzhou Open by beating Zhang Zhizhen. This year, he has not yet reached a final.

Jack Draper admits he was struggling to play on grass this year

At Wimbledon, Jack Draper was chasing his second title on grass after last year’s Stuttgart Open win. He was also bidding to win his second title of the season after his victory at Indian Wells. Apart from the Sunshine Double event, the Brit also reached the final of the Madrid Open, losing the match to three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud.

Jack Draper
Jack Draper (Image via X/Barstool Tennis)

Before Wimbledon, Draper kick-started his campaign on the grass swing at the Queen’s Club Championships but ended up losing in three sets in the semifinal to eventual runner-up Jiri Lehecka. At the press conference after his defeat, the World No.4 admitted that he struggled to play on the surface this year.

Yes, this year I’ve realized I’ve had issues on grass, to be honest. I felt very good on clay. I felt that my game didn’t have many flaws, whereas as soon as I stepped on the grass, I noticed a big difference. So it’s something I need to consider, how I’m going to develop my game in the long term for next year, to improve as a player.

Draper could lose his position on the rankings table if America’s Taylor Fritz makes a deep run at Wimbledon. He currently has 4,650 points in the live rankings, while Fritz sits in the fifth spot with 4,335 points. The 27-year-old, who has won two grass-tour titles this year, including his third at the Eastbourne Open, will meet Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round.

Also read: Novak Djokovic Points to ‘Fluffier’ Balls as the Key Reason Behind Slowness in Wimbledon Matches