Jack Draper says how he’s really feeling ahead of Wimbledon after losing in the Queen’s semi-final

Especially considering that he accomplished the main goal that he needed to at this event: securing a top-four seeding at Wimbledon by reaching the stage that he did in Queen’s.

Now, attention can turn to the next Grand Slam, where he will be hoping to combat the nerves that will only increase as the start date gets closer.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, naturally the subject of Wimbledon arose quickly.

Jack Draper reveals his true feelings ahead of Wimbledon

One reporter was keen to get his true feelings towards a return to the All-England Club, especially given how the narrative has transformed in just 12 months.

This time last year, Jack Draper was an up-and-coming starlet who had every chance of making a surprise run at Wimbledon. This time, he is expected to go far.

With that in mind, they asked how he might deal with the added weight of expectation from another home crowd. The 23-year-old replied: ‘Yeah, obviously there is a little bit of that, but at the same time, I have really felt the home support. I think it’s got more every match I played, I felt like. That’s something that really is an advantage and drives me on.

‘When I’m out there, I don’t think about any of that. I’ve got a job in front of me. I’ve got to play point by point, and I’m not thinking about any pressures or anything like that.

‘I think it’s a privilege to be in the position I’m in, and I’m going to go to Wimbledon and I’m going to feel amazing. I’m going to feel great about myself. I have come back there in the position that I have always wanted to be since I was a kid, and, you know, I’ll prepare properly and I’ll prepare the best I can to play some of my best tennis there. I think the home support that I have received is going to help me to do well.’

Jack Draper will surely be feeling the pressure

Although he insists that he does not feel the burden of being Britain’s number one prospect ahead of Wimbledon, there must be an element of increasing pressure as the Grand Slam nears.

After all, it’s just like any other elite tournament, except the media and crowd will be whipped up into a heightened frenzy whenever he is present.

He has all the tools to succeed on grass, and at the All-England Club in particular, with the main thing that could halt his smooth progress to the latter stages being his own mind.

Luckily, John Lloyd praised Draper’s mindset during this week, with one moment shocking the BBC pundit.

But few could begrudge him for struggling to deal with this expectation, especially given this will be the first year where he is seen as a genuine contender.

Jack Draper’s last four Grand Slam performances

The home crowd can be both a positive and a burden, and how he frames it could make all the difference in how far he will go.

Draper will need some degree of pressure to unlock his best performances, but it is a fine line between that outcome and a total collapse.