Jack Draper begins bid to emulate Andy Murray at Queen's Club with opening win
Jack Draper began his bid to emulate Andy Murray at Queen's Club by winning his first match on the court named after the five-time champion.
The British number one, seeded second at this year's HSBC Championships, is attempting to become only the second home men's singles winner in the Open era after Murray.
Draper got his grass-court season off to a solid start on the Andy Murray Arena with a 6-3 6-1 win over American Jenson Brooksby, before poking fun at his mentor, who retired last year.
What a start for @jackdraper0!!! 😍 #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/dwoGX4815k
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 17, 2025
'Can't get rid of this guy,' he joked. 'Andy is an unbelievable guy, someone I'm very inspired by and I wouldn't be where I am without him.
'I definitely miss him on the Tour. Thank you Andy, this court deserves to be named after you.'
Draper narrowly avoided injuring himself when he chased down an overhead into the advertising hoardings on his first set point, but he dispatched the second with a clubbing forehand.
The 23-year-old then fired down an eighth ace of the contest on his first match point before celebrating a dominant win and writing 'good to be home' on a camera lens.
Draper will face Australian world number 21 Alexei Popyrin in the second round.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Bernard Lacombe dead at 72: France legend who won Euro 1984 and scored fastest French goal ever passes away
Tributes have flooded in on social media REST IN PEACE Bernard Lacombe dead at 72: France legend who won Euro 1984 and scored fastest French goal ever passes away Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOOTBALL legend Bernard Lacombe has sadly died aged 72. The former striker was an icon at French clubs such as Lyon and Bordeaux during his 18-year career. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Bernard Lacombe has passed away Credit: AFP Lacombe was best remembered for being a part of the French team that won Euro 1984. He also scored the fastest goal ever scored by a French player at a World Cup as he netted after 30 seconds against Italy in 1978. After hanging up his boots in 1987 he went into management and coached Lyon between 1996 and 2000. His death means that he is the first of the Euro-winning squad to pass away. Lyon confirmed his passing with a touching statement on social media. It read: "It is with great sadness that we learned this Tuesday evening of the death of Bernard Lacombe "All our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones, as well as to the fans of Olympique Lyonnais and football. "Farewell Bernard, you were our legend, the greatest of all." While Bordeaux posted their own tribute to Lacombe. It read: "Having played for Bordeaux between 1979 and 1987, this legendary striker left his mark on the club's history with his talent and generosity. "The entire Marine et Blanc family mourns today a striker of rare elegance, one of the greatest players in the club's history. "Thank you, Bernard." More to follow... THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Jack Draper laughs off snub as Emma Raducanu picks Carlos Alcaraz for US Open
Raducanu and world number two Alcaraz are among 16 big-name pairs announced by Flushing Meadows organisers on Tuesday. Asked if the two current British number ones could have got together instead, Draper said: 'A wise person once told me you should find the best partner – and that's what she did. I don't blame her at all for that. A STAR-STUDDED 🤩 lineup of teams have officially entered the reimagined US Open Mixed Doubles Championship! More info: — US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 17, 2025 'He's obviously the best player in the world probably right now, along with (Jannik) Sinner. Great at doubles, as well. She's gone about and chose the best partner, for sure. Hopefully they do well.' Draper, currently world number six, has linked up with Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng of China. 'I think it's a good format for the players to get prepared for the US Open, having a shot at playing with another top player,' he added. 'Qinwen I know from the Tour. I have seen her around. Obviously a great player herself and has a really good game. 'It will be fun to get out there and play with her and see how we get on. It was me who messaged. It was nice to get that together and let's see how we get on.' Jack Draper is in action at Queen's Club this week (Ben Whitley/PA) Alcaraz, who joined Draper in the second round at Queen's Club on Tuesday, said: 'She's gonna be the boss! 'I'm super excited about it. I think it's going to be great. It was an amazing idea for the tournament. 'I've known Emma since a really long time ago, so we know each other. I have a really good relationship with her. We are going to enjoy it, for sure. 'I will try to bring my doubles skill. We will try to win. But obviously it's going to be really, really fun.' It was announced earlier this year that the US Open mixed doubles event will be played over two days in the week before the main tournament. It was an attempt to attract more high-profile players, and it has certainly worked. Draper will pair up with Qinwen Zheng (John Walton/PA) As well as 'AlcaRad', Sinner will play with American Emma Navarro while other pairs include women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov, Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic and fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic and off-court partners Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The event will take place on August 19 and 20, with the winners scooping a prize pot of one million US dollars (approximately £750,000). Not all the pairs announced on Tuesday might make the cut, with entries open until July 28. The top eight teams with the best combined singles ranking – which currently would not include Raducanu and Alcaraz – will qualify directly, with eight further teams given wildcard spots.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Jamie Vardy handed Rangers transfer pitch as Poku tunes out ominous £10m jab and Toffolo opens door
Russell Martin is just days away from holding his first pre-season training session with Lyall Cameron the only new arrival so far Paul Dickov has challenged Jamie Vardy to make a move to "giant" Rangers to spearhead a bid to dethrone Celtic. The Light Blues are said to be among the club chasing the 38-year-old after his Leicester City exit with the new owners eyeing a landmark deal. Russell Martin is leading the American revolution at Ibrox from the dugout - and former Foxes' forward Dickov has guaranteed the veteran forward would be a "hit" under the boss in the Scottish Premiership. Speaking to Filbert Way, he said: "Jamie Vardy's got a lot to give. You've seen him at the end of last season, still running around as if he was 25 years old, still scoring goals. "So I think people look at his age and everything else, but he's still got a lot of football and a lot of goals in him. Whether that's the Premier League, who knows? "But definitely if it's a Championship or Scottish Premiership team, he'd be a hit. I think he would be a big success in Scotland, no doubt about it. "Playing for a giant like Rangers, blue jersey, it would be a good signing for them. I'm sure he's got a lot of offers and they are probably at home and abroad as well. "I think he'll be able to take his pick. Maybe he'll want an entirely new challenge, to take his family abroad for a couple of years. "Perhaps he'll want to drop to the Championship and take a club back to the Premier League. Moving to Rangers, there's the challenge of taking on Celtic. It all depends on what's going to motivate him next." Kwame Poku also looks to be inching closer to a move to Ibrox as the 23-year-old approaches the end of his Peterborough contract. Posh director of football Barry Fry has revealed he previously commanded a £5million and £5million in add-ons for the forward who is set to leave for a minimal fee. Should Poku move outside of England, a compensation fee under the lower rate FIFA guidelines would be due to the club due to cross-border rules. Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony told Poku to 'listen to common sense' and sign for an unnamed Championship club as he vented his frustration over the prospect of a cut-price payment. Speaking on his podcast, The Hard Truth, MacAnthony said: 'We know Kwame has been offered an absolute blockbuster move to a top, top club in England. I don't know what he's thinking or what he's waiting for. 'His agent is a big agent who represents Man United players. I think he'll rip it up in the Championship. Unless a Premier League club has come in, I don't know. 'Obviously if he ***** us and goes to Europe, I'd be furious, because I know he'll earn more and be in the Premier League in a year. 'I think a player like him disappears in Europe. If he goes to Europe, he disappears. That's his career. 'We took a chance and developed him. If he listens to common sense – and I hope his agent talks common sense because it's about him and not his agent – the best club for him is the one I know that's in for him because he'll be their stand-out player. 'And that club, we will talk to them if he does sign for them and I think common sense will meet.' Nottingham Forest left-back Harry Toffolo has named as a target after leaving the club as a free agent. And after leaving the club as a free agent, the 29-year-old has thrown the door open to an offer from Govan. He told Forest Focus: "My agent has actually left me to it whilst I've been on holiday. "He wants me to go and enjoy my time away, which he's done respectfully. Now I'm back, I'm going to get my teeth into some bits. "There's been a lot of conversations held with many clubs. So it's going to be an interesting summer. "It's going to be an exciting summer. Not a clue where I'm going to end up, which is quite fun. 'I'm used to travelling the country. So I think as long as my family, my wife and kids, we're all together, we're not really bothered where we go. "As long as we're going there and we feel appreciated, valued and I get the opportunity to play, then we'll take it.' Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
