Jack Draper is confident that he will inspire like Andy Murray at Wimbledon

Jack Draper will face Sebastian Baez in his opening match at the 2025 Wimbledon.

Jack Draper is confident that he will inspire like Andy Murray at Wimbledon

Andy Murray and Jack Draper (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Jack Draper is the highest-ranked British player in the men’s singles Wimbledon Championship draw. The 23-year-old is also the joke favorite to win the competition considering his impressive form this season. Ahead of his campaign start, Draper hopes he will give the home crowd something to cheer for, like Andy Murray did 12 years ago.

Murray made history in 2013 after ending the 77-year wait for a British winner at Wimbledon men’s singles, following his triumph against Novak Djokovic in the final. The Scottish legend won the Championship again three years later, taking his total Grand Slam tally to three, having won the US Open in 2012.

The 38-year-old retired from professional tennis at the 2024 Paris Olympics, leaving Draper to emerge as a worthy successor. Draper has been playing great tennis but it will take something special to overcome Wimbledon favorites, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. However, the 23-year-old will avoid them until the last four at the grass-court Grand Slam because he’s the fourth seed.

Following his impressive start to the season, Draper now hopes to follow Murray’s legacy at the All England Club. The British star revealed during an interview with Sky Sports that he aims to inspire the home crowd like the Scottish legend did in 2013.

When Andy retired, he said I was the next in line, and I know it’s Wimbledon coming up. I didn’t really think about it then, and I’ve improved so much to put myself in this position. I’ll keep trying to do my best and keep improving, to show my best tennis out there… It’s big shoes to fill, and I’m aware of that, but at the same time, I’m confident in myself that I can inspire people like Andy has done.

Draper is set to kick off his Wimbledon Championship campaign against Sebastian Baez on Tuesday (July 1). He has never gotten past the second round of the tournament in his three appearances at the All England Club. Nonetheless, following Baez’s clash, he’s projected to face a former Wimbledon finalist, Marin Cilic next.

If he does triumph over the two aforementioned players, in the third round he may face Alexander Bublik, the man who defeated him in the fourth round of the French Open. The British star is also projected to face Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals before a potential clash against Jannik Sinner in the semi-final.

Jack Draper feels he’s a different player since the Queen’s Club Championships

Draper opened his grass-court campaign at the Queen’s Club Championships in London. There, he won three matches before losing to eventual runners-up Jiri Lehecka in a nervy three-set clash in the semi-finals of the ATP 500 tournament. It was his best run at the event, despite the loss.

Jack Draper Wimbledon 2025
Jack Draper (image via Wimbledon)

The British star revealed during the aforementioned interview that he feels much better since the loss. He added that he has more belief in his game mentally and physically ahead of his opening round match at Wimbledon.

I’m full of energy to try and find my best tennis this coming week. I definitely feel like a very different player. I feel like, personally, I’ve grown a lot since last year. It’s testament to the work I’ve done, the people I have around me that have been with me through the ups and downs of my career so far. I have a lot more belief in myself physically, also mentally.

Draper won his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells in March after beating Holger Rune in straight sets. He also reached the final of the Qatar Open and Madrid Open, losing to Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud, respectively. To bet on him considering his form, he has gotten to the fourth rounds of the Australian Open and Roland Garros this year.

Also read: Stefanos Tsitsipas Casts Huge Doubt on his Future After Retiring from his Opening Round at Wimbledon