S Poddar
British No. 1 Jack Draper overcame Elias Ymer in a thrilling five-set battle, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, to advance to the second round of Wimbledon where he will face fellow Briton Cameron Norrie.
On a day marked by Andy Murray’s emotional farewell to his singles career at Wimbledon, Draper stepped up to deliver a dramatic performance for the Centre Court crowd and BBC viewers. The audience cheered “Come on Jack” at every critical moment, mirroring the enthusiasm once reserved for Murray. Draper, sporting a cap as the shadows lengthened, embodied the spirit of a new era in British tennis.
Despite predictions of a smoother match, Draper’s victory was hard-fought. Following Murray’s withdrawal due to a back injury, Draper moved from No. 2 Court to Centre Court. Reflecting on Murray’s influence, Draper expressed his gratitude, “I wouldn’t be here without Andy. He’s an incredible guy off the court, so funny, so genuine, one of a kind. And what a competitor – and what a champion.”
Although Draper acknowledges the challenge of matching Murray’s achievements, he remains optimistic about his own potential. “If I just keep on improving, keep on doing my best, I don’t see why I can’t be a great player like Andy has been,” he remarked.
The match initially seemed to follow expectations as Draper broke Ymer’s serve early. However, a failed attempt at a flashy tweener saw Draper lose his lead and momentum. Ymer capitalized, securing the first set with 14 winners.
Draper bounced back in the second set, showcasing his powerful left-handed serve, strong forehand, and agile net play. The third set started with a running forehand winner from Draper, who broke Ymer’s serve early and maintained his lead, moving ahead two sets to one.
Despite Draper’s effort, Ymer rallied in the fourth set, displaying remarkable resilience as Draper’s focus wavered. Draper’s frustration peaked as he smashed his racket, but the break to close the roof before the fifth set helped him regain composure. Draper dominated the final set, losing only three points on serve and sealing the win with two aces in the final game.
“When the lights came on, it felt like all of a sudden it was so easy to see the ball,” Draper said, crediting the improved visibility for his heightened performance in the fifth set. To the cheering Centre Court crowd, he humorously added, “I really enjoyed it. I know you guys wanted to see Andy out here, but you were stuck with me instead.”
Looking ahead to his match against Norrie, Draper understands the need to elevate his game further. His determination and character have already won the admiration of the British public, and likely earned a quiet nod of approval from Murray himself.
