**Jack Draper Champions Emma Raducanu’s Talent Despite Wimbledon Exit**
Jack Draper’s hopes of a deep run at Wimbledon ended prematurely on Thursday, but the young Brit remains full of optimism for the remaining British players—especially Emma Raducanu—as the nation’s focus shifts following his early departure from the tournament. Draper, who crashed out in the second round for the third time in his career, was beaten by the experienced Croatian Marin Čilić in a four-set encounter on Centre Court. The match was a significant test for Draper, coming up short against the world No. 83, with Čilić’s powerful serve and seasoned play eventually proving too great a challenge.
Despite his own disappointment, Draper made clear his unwavering confidence in Raducanu’s abilities to lead the British charge at this year’s Championships. The 22-year-old Londoner praised Raducanu, who has sparkled in the opening rounds, claiming impressive victories over Wales’ Mimi Xu and 2021 champion Markéta Vondroušová. Draper was quick to highlight her performances and how she has “amazed” those watching at the All England Club.
Speaking candidly after his defeat, Draper commented, “Of course there’s still British hope. Emma is in fantastic form. I watched her match yesterday and it was incredible to see.” His remarks come at a moment where British tennis fans are seeking new heroes, with Raducanu, Cameron Norrie, and Sonay Kartal now standing as the country’s remaining singles representatives heading into the third round.
The spotlight, according to Draper, is firmly set on Raducanu as she prepares to take on Aryna Sabalenka, the tournament’s top seed, in what promises to be a closely watched fixture on Friday. Despite the daunting challenge ahead, Draper believes Raducanu has the game and determination required to cause an upset, saying, “She has a real opportunity in front of her, and I genuinely hope she makes the nation proud. There’s no doubt she has what it takes.”
Nor was Draper’s support confined just to Raducanu; he spoke warmly of Norrie and Kartal’s prospects as well. “Cam and Sonay will now be flying the flag for all of us,” he said. “They’re not just wonderful players but great people. They’ve earned every bit of their success so far, and I’m excited to see what they can achieve in their upcoming matches.”
Yet, amid his vocal encouragement, Draper admitted that it might be emotionally difficult to watch proceedings too closely after his personal disappointment. “To be honest, I might try to stay away from watching for a bit because this result hurts,” he revealed. “Nevertheless, I genuinely want everyone still in to have a fantastic tournament—they absolutely deserve it.”
Draper’s own campaign had begun with optimism after dispatching Argentina’s Sebastián Báez, who retired during their opening round match. However, he encountered a different calibre of opposition in Čilić, the former Wimbledon finalist, who utilised his strong serve and experience to great effect, notching up 16 aces and an array of forehand winners to secure his place in the third round.
Reflecting on his Wimbledon performance and his struggles over the grass-court season, Draper was refreshingly honest. “I have to say, my game hasn’t been where I’d want it to be on grass this year. Even at Queen’s, reaching the semi-finals felt like a fluke—I wasn’t feeling at my best. On hard and clay courts, I’ve felt strong, but the grass has exaggerated some weaknesses in my game.”
He went on to analyse his shortcomings in further detail, highlighting issues with his forehand against Čilić’s aggressive play. “The pace into my forehand really exposed a hole in my game,” he admitted. “Where on other surfaces I can create my own speed and spin, on grass I found myself struggling.”
As one of British tennis’s brightest young hopes, Draper’s blunt assessment provides food for thought as he looks ahead to the rest of the season. Still, his supportive words for his fellow competitors lighten the disappointment of his loss, underscoring a spirit of camaraderie within the British squad.
With Raducanu readying herself for a high-profile clash and Norrie and Kartal also through to the later rounds, Wimbledon’s home crowd still has plenty to cheer for. If Draper’s faith is any indication, the remaining Brits are well-placed to make headlines of their own as the tournament progresses.