Annabel Croft has given Jack Draper arguably the highest possible praise, comparing him to Andy Murray after his opening-round win at Queen’s today.
The 22-year-old was handed what many believed to be a tricky first-round draw, but after a career-best clay season, he translated that form onto the grass with ease.
Jenson Brooksby posed little threat, and he was defeated swiftly, 6-3, 6-1.
Croft was really impressed with the clinical manner in which Jack Draper dispatched the American, and would claim as much in her post-match analysis.
Annabel Croft compares Jack Draper to Andy Murray
Reviewing the action live on BBC Sport immediately after Draper’s win, Croft was effusive in her praise for her compatriot.
After all, it was not the match today at Queen’s that left her impressed, but the work done over the last few years which have led to such comfortable victories.
She noted: ‘We keep focusing on those shots [forehand and serve] and the nucleus of his game but actually he loves hitting his backhand too.
‘A lot of players make the mistake of going into the backhand thinking they will find safety there and actually it’s a very dangerous shot, it is so low. He’s accurate and very confident on it.
And the thing about Draper is when we used to admire what Murray did out there, we’d watch him and you’d say, how do players get points against him? He never gives away free points, you have to earn it, you have to work so hard to get your points against Andy Murray.
‘And it feels like that against Jack Draper these days. He’s so consistent in his level of performance, time and time again. His fitness has improved enormously.
‘He’s got a fantastic team of people around him, and fitness when he first burst out onto the scene. It was a little bit bumpy. I think his body was breaking down as well.
‘One of the main focuses that James Trotman, his wonderful coach, brought into play was we have to build a body here that can sustain tour life, and I think they’ve done exactly that.’
Jamie Murray confirmed what Draper and Andy Murray’s relationship is really like before the tournament started, and his claims are clear to see whenever they’re together.
Jack Draper will be hoping to channel Andy Murray at Wimbledon this year
Draper will likely be buoyed by such comparisons, given how much he looks up to Andy Murray.
The two share a lighthearted, friendly relationship, but there is clearly so much mutual respect between them.
After all, the Scotsman spearheaded a golden period for British tennis after so many years where they failed to compete.
He emerged, a humble Scotsman, to challenge the best that tennis has ever produced for nearly two decades.
Murray won Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016, with the latter marking 77 years since the last British man had won the singles event.
Draper will be hoping to ensure that there is no such wait this time around.
