Jack Draper eyeing big time after narrow defeat in Wimbledon boys’ singles final
Jack Draper insists he can make the grade in the senior ranks after his narrow defeat in the boys’ singles final.
The 16-year-old was bidding to become the first British winner since Stanley Matthews - son of the late footballing great Sir Stanley - achieved the feat in 1962.
“It gives me immense confidence,” said Draper, following a 6-1, 6-7, 6-4 defeat. “It feels surreal and I’m still taking it in.
“It’s been an unbelievable week. It’s going to give me a lot of inspiration and motivation. I’m very happy.”
Draper has the right credentials to succeed. Like his idol, Andy Murray, his mother is a tennis coach. In addition, his father, Roger, was the one-time chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association.
In Pictures | Wimbledon 2018
In Pictures | Wimbledon 2018
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Rafael Nadal congratulates Novak Djokovic on his win
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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends day twelve of the Wimbledon on July 14
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Novak Djokovic celebrates his win against Rafael Nadal
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Rafael Nadal versus Novak Djokovic
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Serbia's Novak Djokovic against Rafael Nadal
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Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (R) and Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex take their seats in the Royal box on Centre Court before watching Serbia's Novak Djokovic play ve Spain's Rafael Nadal
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Serbia's Novak Djokovic against Rafael Nadal
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Rafael Nadal versus Novak Djokovic
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Britain's Alfie Hewett (L) and Britain's Gordon Reid celebrate after winning against Belgium's Joachim Gerard and Sweden's Stefan Olsson during their mens' wheelchair doubles final
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Roger Federer during a practice session on court 14
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Novak Djokovic in action against Kyle Edmund.
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Alexander Zverev in action
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US player Taylor Fritz returns against Germany's Alexander Zverev
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Kyle Edmund during a practice session on day five of the Wimbledon Championships
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Kyle Edmund reacts during the second round match against Bradley Klahn of the U.S
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Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro plays a return shot through his legs against Spain's Feliciano Lopez during their men's singles second round match on the fourth day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships
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Germany's Angelique Kerber in action during the second round match against Claire Liu of the U.S
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Darius Platt-Vowles from Gloucestershire is first in the queue
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Draper admitted he has yet to fill out properly into his frame but, with a big serve, hefty groundstrokes and an impressive fighting spirit, he has all the credentials to be a future British No1. And he is eager to get there.
“I’m going to go more into the senior game,” he said. “I’m not really sure, looking ahead, at how many juniors I’m going to play. I’m definitely going to try and transition into the men’s game.”
And he is relishing the opportunity to shine again on such a big stage.
Of his match on No1 Court, he added: “The adrenaline from the crowd was unbelievable. Having that many people watching was really great for me.”