Jack Draper was the last of a mammoth six British players who soared into round two of the French Open yesterday, capping off a sensational start to the latest Grand Slam.
Given how, historically, this event has not been kind to the Brits, such a strong showing marks a pleasant surprise. That is, even if few are expected to go the distance.
Naturally, Jack Draper spearheads their chances of a deep run, but the reigning Indian Wells champion still thinks there are others ready to make that same step up.
In fact, he has personally named one fellow ATP star who he thinks is destined for big things.
Jack Draper rates the state of British tennis
Talking to the press following his own first-round win, Draper was naturally asked about the state of British tennis.
After all, following last year’s abysmal showing in the French Open, where not a single Brit made it past the first round, this time we have had six.
However, one in particular has caught the eye of the 23-year-old, as he noted: ‘I think it’s amazing. Obviously, I’ve been really focused on myself and my own preparations but I’ve been watching the other players. Obviously Katie winning, Emma winning, I mean all of them won pretty much.
‘I think it’s amazing for British tennis to be honest. I especially watched Jacob yesterday, I said that he was going to be a top player and I still believe that. You guys have probably watched him and he’s very impressive.
‘Cam, obviously in the Olympics last year picked up an injury has been struggling a little bit ever since to find his level. To come out and beat Medvedev that’s a huge win.
‘Obviously, Emma playing great tennis on the clay, Boulter as well, Sonay… I think it’s great. It shows that we’re not afraid of playing well on the clay, and I think all of them, great respect. They all work really hard and they’re all great players. I’m not surprised either to be honest.’
Jacob Fearnley is already performing at Roland Garros
As Draper notes, Fearnley is already impressing in the French capital with his first-round win over Stan Wawrinka.
In fact, the nature of his win even led Wawrinka to consider his future in the sport, after another first-round loss.
However, this is not the first scalp for the Scotsman, and will likely not be the last if his current trajectory suggests anything.
In Rome, Fearnley impressed many by reaching the Round of 32, coming from the qualifiers to beat Tomas Machac before losing to Grigor Dimitrov.
And then in Indian Wells, he fought well against the precocious Joao Fonseca, taking their match the distance.
Even in the Australian Open, Fearnley did not hold back against Nick Kyrgios on his comeback and even managed to beat Arthur Cazaux too.
A constant threat on the Challenger tour who is now converting that success into potency on the ATP tour, he marks one of many British talents who are seeking to take over the sport.
