Former British No 1 Tim Henman is backing younger Jack Draper to interrupt into the world’s high 10 as long as he continues to focus on his preparation and efficiency.
Draper grew to become the brand new British No 1 after accumulating his first profession ATP Tour title in Stuttgart earlier this summer time earlier than upsetting Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s Membership.
It was a far cry from the place he discovered himself in 12 months in the past when a shoulder downside dominated him out of the complete grass-court season.
The 22-year-old left-hander has additionally suffered from a variety of bodily illnesses up to now, however now he is on an upwards trajectory and contained in the world’s high 30.
With the US Open on the horizon, the British media and public will likely be wanting in the direction of Draper because the pure substitute for Murray after the 37-year-old known as an finish to his profession on the Paris Olympics.
“I don’t think there’s as much pressure on Draper but it’s important that Jack really concentrates and continues to concentrate because that’s around his preparation and performance. He’s looking to improve different aspects of his game,” Henman advised Sky Sports activities.
“He is not on the market to be the brand new Andy Murray. He is on the market to be Jack Draper and he is improved a lot.
“I think it’s more of the same. He’s trending in the right direction, he’s top 30 in the world, he’ll be seeded in New York so I hope he can break into the top 20 and top 10 in the not too distant future.”
Draper has a profitable working relationship alongside Cameron Norrie’s former coach, James Trotman, and Wayne Ferreira, who’s a two-time Australian Open semi-finalist.
And Henman feels that successful his maiden title in Stuttgart will play an enormous position in Draper’s confidence and perception heading into the US Open the place the Brit reached the fourth spherical final 12 months.
“The challenge around the schedule of tennis is within the calendar we’ve really got four majors in the space of about three months. You’ve got the French Open, Wimbledon, the Olympics, and now you’ve got the Olympics so it’s very difficult to peak at all those events but winning your first title on tour is a huge breakthrough,” stated Henman.
“It’s great for your own personal confidence because Jack hasn’t played quite as well as he would have liked in the last few events but he can certainly turn that around on hard in America going into the US Open.”
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Draper stated he knew his time was coming after successful his first ATP title and turning into British No 1
Regardless of the title in Germany, Draper has didn’t capitalise on the successful momentum with early exits at Wimbledon and Montreal, however Henman is just not nervous by outcomes and believes they’ll include time.
The four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist stated: “It’s still really learning about his game and competing at the biggest and best tournaments because he’s still building that foundation and momentum.
“He had accidents final 12 months and did not play a full schedule so I believe simply being on the market and persevering with to enhance – generally it is easy to get caught up in outcomes and issues but when he retains working onerous, retains working in the fitting areas then the outcomes will come as a result of he is that good a participant.”
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Draper stated he’s ‘not on the stage’ he needs to be at but forward of enjoying on the Madrid Open earlier this 12 months
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