Jack Draper is preparing for what will be the biggest Wimbledon campaign of his career so far.
The 23-year-old is the undisputed British number one and he will arrive at the All-England Club as the tournament’s fourth-seeded player.
After becoming a top four player, the winner of a Masters 1000 title and a Grand Slam semi-finalist, British fans are expecting big things from Draper at Wimbledon this year.
As a result, the ATP’s Dan Evans has outlined what he thinks will work in Draper’s favour as he goes in pursuit of a Wimbledon title.
Dan Evans suggests what Jack Draper has working in his favour ahead of Wimbledon
Jack Draper began his grass court season by reaching the semi-finals at the Queen’s Club Championships.
At times he struggled to consistently play his best tennis and admitted his struggles with tonsillitis during the campaign.
Now Draper is at Wimbledon training and adjusting to the courts and conditions before his quest for glory begins next week.
During an appearance on BBC Sounds, Dan Evans assessed Draper’s chances of success at Wimbledon and suggested something about the courts which could work to his advantage.
“That court was playing very fast [at Queen’s]. I think the slower surface at Wimbledon will really help Jack. Lehecka really likes a fast court. You just get a bit more time. He has been very good on the clay,” Evans said.
“There is nothing wrong with Jack’s forehand by any stretch but he can be rushed on that a little and be tested for movement on that side, and if the court is playing a bit quicker, there are big hitters out there and that would be the side I think they would go for. A bit on the return as well.
“So I think Wimbledon will suit him. The courts play a bit quicker. It was a really hot week at Queen’s as well, it was really fast.
“So I think he might have been a bit surprised with how well he did on the clay but I think he has nothing but positives going into Wimbledon, really, if he is healthy.”
Jack Draper explains the key to playing grass court tennis
Draper has enjoyed playing grass court tennis in front of his home fans, especially at Wimbledon, which is the pinnacle of the sport.
Draper has won 25 grass court matches and lost 16 in his career, giving him a win percentage of 60.98%, and he hopes to add to that tally at Wimbledon.
With the fast and low-bouncing nature of grass, certain skills are required in order to excel, some of which Draper pointed out.
“When that ball is coming in fast, especially on a grass court, you have to stay low and stay down,” Draper told the BBC.
“Just the slightest movement in your head or lifting up and the ball is going to fly.”
