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Jack Draper is a big threat in French Open: John McEnroe backs British youngster

Jack Draper is a big threat in French Open: John McEnroe backs British youngster

India Today25-05-2025

Tennis legend John McEnroe believes Great Britain's Jack Draper could be a major threat to the top contenders at the 2025 French Open. Although the 23-year-old has yet to progress past the opening round at Roland Garros - falling short in both 2023 and 2024 - McEnroe thinks Draper has the potential to challenge stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.advertisementDraper took a major step forward in his career by reaching the semi-finals of the US Open, where he was defeated in straight sets by Alex de Minaur. Earlier this year, he made headlines by replacing 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic at No. 5 in the ATP rankings, becoming the first British player to break into the top five."I'm really impressed by Jack, his progress. I've got to say he's become extremely formidable. You know, he's another one of those guys to me after the two guys (Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner) and I think he's in Sinner's quarter, so that wouldn't make it as easy. But you know, he's a threat to anyone at this point,' McEnroe told Reuters.
Also Read: French Open: Emma Raducanu reveals biggest needle phobia in back injury recoveryadvertisement"He's put himself in a position where, well, if he doesn't win (the French Open), he's certainly going to be one of the top couple of favourites at Wimbledon and he's going to be extremely difficult to beat. So he's put himself in a great position. 'I'm really impressed by his maturity and just his level the last year. So Jack's going to be doing some incredible things in the future,' McEnroe added. Draper recently played in the Madrid Open where Casper Ruud beat her in the semis. He crashed out in the Italian Open after losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Draper is scheduled to get his campaign underway in the French Open on Monday, May 26 against Mattia Bellucci of Italy in the first round.

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