Jacob Fearnley has shared what his relationship with Jack Draper is really like as he continues to impress at the Queen’s Club Championships.
Reaching his first-ever tour-level ATP quarter-final, it has been a mesmeric run thus far for the 23-year-old.
His powerful, no-nonsense approach to the sport has seen him slowly rise to prominence, especially in 2025, in which he continues to hit personal bests with each passing week.
However, in beating Corentin Moutet, he now has a fine chance to reach a maiden semi-final of an ATP 500-level event.
Speaking after that hard-fought win, Jacob Fearnley was first quizzed on the wider British tennis scene, and Jack Draper in particular.
Jacob Fearnley opens up on his relationship with Jack Draper
Asked about his fellow Brit in his Queen’s post-match press conference, following an impressive win yesterday, Fearnley assessed his relationship with Draper in a brief summary.
He noted: ‘Yeah, we get on very well. It’s obviously sometimes difficult, because around tournaments it’s strictly business, you know, and there is not a whole lot of time to socialize.
‘But outside of tournaments, yeah, we get on great. I have known him since I was maybe 10 years old. It’s really cool to kind of be playing these tournaments together after so long.
‘We went our different paths, but to be playing these tournaments, it’s really cool. I mean, yeah, I think he’ll be fine. I think the way he’s played all year, I mean, he’s been so consistent. It’s not like he’s just had one big win and that’s been it. He’s consistently making deep runs in every tournament, which shows me and I think it shows everyone else that he’s more than ready to take over that role of Andy Murray and be at the top of the game for a very long time. And he deserves it, for sure.’
Andy Roddick has noticed a big improvement in Draper’s game, praising one area of progression that could take him to even greater heights.
Jacob Fearnley rates the current state of British tennis
The Scotsman was then asked how important it is to tick off big milestones in the lead-up to Wimbledon, the apex of any British player’s calendar.
Fearnley continued: ‘Yeah, I mean, I think it’s good. I think it’s always good to have British guys doing well before Wimbledon. I think it increases the hype and gives the fans something to watch and look forward to.
‘Obviously, yeah, what Jack’s doing, being No. 4 in the world, I think, it’s exciting, you know, and obviously there’s myself, Cam, a lot of great wildcards that have been named.
‘I think British tennis is in a good position, and it’s great that it’s peaking right before Wimbledon.’
Naturally, Draper will spearhead British hopes at the All-England Club, given he has a strong chance to be the fourth seed.
However, both Fearnley and Cam Norrie have proven their ability to upset top-level opponents in the last few years, and could enjoy shock runs themselves whilst backed by the home crowd.
