Draper on collision course with Djokovic & Sinner in Wimbledon draw
But from there things are set to get significantly tougher with former finalist Marin Cilic a likely second-round opponent and Alexander Bublik, the player he lost to in the fourth round of the French Open and who won the big grass-court warm-up event in Halle last weekend, his first scheduled seeded rival in the third round.
Eight-time champion Novak Djokovic, who has made the final in every edition since 2017, could be waiting in the quarter-finals, with world number one Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is in the bottom half of the draw and will open the tournament on Centre Court on Monday against veteran Italian Fabio Fognini.
Emma Raducanu will take on 17-year-old wild card Mimi Xu, one of three home teenage debutants, in an eye-catching opening round.
The former US Open champion reached the fourth round last year but faces an uphill battle to do so again, with top seed Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova both in her section.
✨ The opening round draw for the Brits at @Wimbledon in full:
Jack Draper vs Sebastian BaezJacob Fearnley vs Joao FonsecaCam Norrie vs Roberto Bautista AgutBilly Harris vs Hubert HurkaczDan Evans vs Jay ClarkeJack Pinnington Jones vs Tomás Martín EtcheverryHenry Searle… https://t.co/YRcj2MgeiU
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 27, 2025
It was a nightmare draw for the leading British women, with Katie Boulter – unseeded this year – taking on top-10 star Paula Badosa, while British number three Sonay Kartal faces 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Sixteen-year-olds Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic also drew seeds, with the former facing former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and Stojsavljevic meeting Ashlyn Krueger.
The bottom quarter of the women's event could throw up some big-hitting contests in the second week with Iga Swiatek potentially facing a fourth-round clash against former champion Elena Rybakina and a quarter-final with second seed Coco Gauff, having dropped to eighth in the rankings.
Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, meanwhile, will take on exciting Filipino teenager Alexandra Eala in the opening round, provided the Czech recovers from a leg injury in time.
Mimi Xu will face Emma Raducanu (Bradley Collyer/PA)
There is also an all-British contest in the first round of the men's draw, with veteran Dan Evans facing fellow wild card Jay Clarke.
The winner of that is likely to get a shot at Djokovic while 21-year-old Oliver Tarvet, who came through qualifying to make it 23 British players in the main singles draws, has the carrot of a second-round meeting with Alcaraz if he can beat Leandro Riedi.
British number two Jacob Fearnley will try to get a first win against hot Brazilian prospect Joao Fonseca while Cameron Norrie takes on veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, who performed strongly at Queen's Club.
Hull's Johannus Monday was given the toughest draw of the British debutants on the men's side against 13th seed Tommy Paul, while Jack Pinnington Jones will take on Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry and Oliver Crawford faces Mattia Bellucci of Italy.
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Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Emma Raducanu sent fearless message by teenage Brit opponent ahead of Wimbledon
Welsh teenager Mimi Xu will take on Emma Raducanu in the first round of Wimbledon, and the 17-year-old is relishing the prospect of facing one of her role models Four years after she burst into public consciousness as a teenage hopeful at Wimbledon, the grass-court shoe will be on the other foot on Monday for Emma Raducanu. One of the standout draws of the first round from a home perspective saw the former US Open champion paired with 17-year-old Mimi Xu, who is among a trio of talented teenage British girls aiming to make a name for themselves. Xu, along with 16-year-old duo Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic, has been rewarded for an impressive junior career and strong early strides in the women's game with a coveted wild card. The Welsh player, ranked 318, was left scrambling to try to find out who she had drawn, saying: 'It's quite funny because we're moving into the Airbnb this morning at five past 10 and I get a message from my coach, and he was like: 'What an exciting draw!' 'And then my mum's getting messages saying, 'That's so good, so exciting this and that', and not saying the name. And I haven't seen the draw. I'm like: 'Oh my gosh, what is the draw? Who am I playing?' 'And no one was replying afterwards, so I went on to the Wimbledon website and it wasn't there, and eventually someone told me I'm playing Emma. 'I feel like I'm really ready for it. I'm really excited for it. Obviously she's done so well in her career and I'm at the beginning of mine. So I think it's going to be a really good test for me, really good opportunity for me to just go out and play and have fun. I think she's a really good role model to have.' Xu came through the Lawn Tennis Association's national academy at Loughborough and remembers watching Raducanu win the US Open in 2021 with the other players who boarded there. The pair are friendly, sometimes talking together in Mandarin, with Xu's parents both of Chinese heritage along with Raducanu's mother. They got to know each other better when Xu was a hitting partner for the British team at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga last November, and the teenager is quietly confident of causing an upset having already beaten two top-100 players on grass this summer. 'I've been playing really well,' she said. 'I was probably the first one on the grass this year. So I think my game really suits grass. I'm really confident in my game at the moment. 'I'm going to go out there, enjoy every moment, give it a good go. And I believe I've got a good chance if I do all that.' Raducanu came into the tournament after a difficult couple of matches at Eastbourne amid 'some really bad' personal news, while she continues to battle a niggling back problem. There were no signs of discomfort when the 22-year-old trained at the All England Club on Friday, although she was well beaten in a practice set on Court One by former champion Elena Rybakina. Raducanu did look a lot more smiley later when she was spotted walking around the grounds with US Open mixed doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz. Her clash with Xu could be scheduled for one of the main courts, which would not phase the teenager. 'I said to my coach: 'When am I going to get to play on Centre Court again or Court One',' said Xu. 'I'm really ready to embrace it and really just go out and enjoy it. At the US Open last year I got to play on Louis Armstrong, which I think was an amazing experience as well. So I've had that kind of big court, big stadium experience. And if I do get to play on that court, I'm really excited.'
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
From hunky Jack Draper to Emma Raducanu – the who-to-watch guide for Brit Wimbledon hotshots hoping to win big at SW19
We serve up a selection of them before the action starts at SW19 on Monday LOVE ALL OF THEM From hunky Jack Draper to Emma Raducanu – the who-to-watch guide for Brit Wimbledon hotshots hoping to win big at SW19 TENNIS fans will hope Jack is nimble – and quick – as our latest Wimbledon hope takes to the court. World No4 Jack Draper, 23, whose looks have won him a Burberry modelling deal, has a serious shot at the title. 17 Emma Raducanu hopes to go deep into the tournament after a recent return to form Credit: Getty On the ladies' side, former US Open champ Emma Raducanu, 22, hopes to go deep after a recent return to form. There are 23 Brits in the singles – 13 men and ten women – which is the most since 1984. Mike Ridley serves up a selection of them before the action starts at SW19 on Monday. Hannah Klugman, 16 - GB No17, world No577 STAR-in-the-making Hannah will feel right at home – as her family live in Wimbledon village in South West London, not far from the All England club. The youngest of four sisters, she excelled at all sports and only plumped for tennis after the Covid pandemic. 17 Hannah Klugman was the first Briton to make the final in Paris since Michele Tyler in 1976 Credit: Alamy At 14, Hannah gave up going to school and did her GCSE studies online. Earlier this month, that decision already looked to have been a good one as she became a junior Grand Slam runner-up at the French Open. She was the first Briton to make the final in Paris since Michele Tyler in 1976 and experts are now marking her out for big things – and she already has experience of a grand stage. Sun tennis writer Rob Maul says: 'There are three British female teens in the draw [also Mika Stojsavljevic, 16, and Mimi Xu, 17]. She is already impressive, and she is part of the future for Wimbledon.' British world No719 qualifies for Wimbledon but is BANNED from claiming £66,000 prize money Katie Boulter, 28 - GB No2, world No41 LEICESTER CITY fan Katie Boulter has never got as far as the second week of a grand slam tournament – despite being Britain's No2. On her day, statuesque Katie can upset the form book but experts reckon she is perhaps a little too inconsistent to be among the game's elite. 17 Katie Boulter has never got as far as the second week of a grand slam tournament – despite being Britain's No2 Credit: News Group Newspaper Ltd 17 Katie is engaged to Aussie world No11 Alex de Minaur after dating him for about three years Credit: Instagram She is engaged to Aussie world No11 Alex de Minaur after dating him for about three years. The couple have date nights during tournaments, which they post about on social media. Alex, 26, was born in Sydney then trained for years in Spain. But while Alex was unsure whether to play for Spain or Australia at the Olympics, before choosing the former, Katie was famously pictured in 2018 cheering on England's World Cup footballers. Katie, who has suffered many injuries over the years, including a stress fracture of the back, is very close to her grandparents who live in the East Midlands where she grew up. She also appreciates going out with a man who understands the pressures of the game. Emma Raducanu, 22 - GB No1, world No38 ONE of the most scrutinized female athletes in world sport and one of the most famous. As Britain's No1, the whole country will be rooting for her during the championships. 17 Carlos Alcaraz has been romantically linked to Emma Credit: PA And amid rumour of a romance with Spanish world No2 Carlos Alcaraz – who at 22 has won five grand slams including two Wimbledons – he will surely be keeping an eye on her matches. Will former US Open winner Emma rediscover that old magic, on the back of promising recent results? Or will she be affected by news that the stalker who reduced her to tears in Dubai in February tried to get tickets for this year's Wimbledon, only to be red-flagged and denied. She will be grateful organisers had beefed up security but all eyes will be on her game. If she can overcome those worries and avoid injury, Emma could go a long way. Whatever happens, there will be plenty of drama. Jodie Burrage, 26 - GB No7, world No164 SHE missed Wimbledon last year through injury, so hopes her luck will change. But judging by a bizarre event that happened at the pre-Wimbledon tournament in Eastbourne this week, she might wonder. 17 Jodie Burrage missed Wimbledon last year through injury, so hopes her luck will change Credit: Getty 17 Jodie is dating Scots rugby international Ben White, who plays scrum half for French club Toulon Credit: Instagram BBC commentator Annabel Croft could not believe her eyes when Jodie's opponent in the last 16, reigning Wimbledon ladies champ Barbora Krejcikova, fired a shot through a hole in the net. Krejcikova generously conceded the point but the Czech ace went on to win the match. Surrey smasher Jodie is dating Scots rugby international Ben White, who plays scrum half for French club Toulon. At last month's French Open, Jodie said uncertainty over whether Ben, 27, would be picked for the British Lions squad to tour Australia this summer was affecting her form on the court. In the end, Ben was not selected – so expect to see him at Wimbledon cheering on Jodie. Jack Draper, 23 - GB No1, world No4 ONE of the most eligible men in tennis, young free and single Jack is a Burberry model with an equally fine-looking tennis game. Now at a career-high world No4, he is hotly tipped to win Wimbledon, if not this year then soon. 17 Jack draper is a Burberry model with an equally fine-looking tennis game Credit: Getty 17 Jack with model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in an ad for Burberry swimwear Credit: Burberry He would be the first English champ since Fred Perry in 1936 – and looks the heir apparent to Scots sensation Sir Andy Murray, who twice claimed the spoils at SW19 before retiring. After winning the Indian Wells tournament in California earlier this year, and making the semi-finals of the US Open in 2024, big-serving leftie Jack is the real deal at just 23. The Man United fan, who grew up in Ashtead, Surrey, and started out at Sutton Tennis and Squash Club, also stands out for his chiselled looks. He set hearts fluttering when pictured recently jumping topless from a boat with model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in an ad for Burberry swimwear. But he has no love match at the moment and is just pals with Rosie, and her Hollywood star other half Jason Statham. He says: 'I'm always on the road, always playing, always training. It's tough to sustain any relationship.' Having banked nearly £6million in prize money, and plenty more from endorsements and modelling work, he is dream boyfriend material for whoever should get so lucky. But for now, his No1 fan at Wimbledon will be mum Nicky, a former junior tennis starlet. His dad Roger, meanwhile, is an ex-boss of the Lawn Tennis Association, the sport's UK governing body, so was tasked with finding the country's next Wimbledon champ. Sun tennis correspondent Rob Maul says: 'Remarkably, he didn't have to look far!' Henry Searle, 19 - GB No119, world No409 THE teen wildcard from Wolverhampton may have a lowly world ranking – but he already has some serious form on the lawns of Wimbledon. It is only two years ago that 6ft 4in Henry became the first Brit to win the boys title, since football legend Stanley Matthews' son. 17 Henry Searle may have a lowly world ranking – but he already has some serious form on the lawns of Wimbledon Credit: Rex Since Stanley Matthews Jnr picked up the trophy in 1962, it has been won by a host of kids who went on to become tennis greats including Bjorn Borg and Ivan Lendl. The left-hander is the son of cricketer Harvey Trump, an off-spin bowler who played for Somerset between 1988 and 1997, and his first wife Emma. Henry has a huge following of fans and friends who join him at matches, wear identical T-shirts and making a lot of noise supporting his every shot. Sun man courtside Rob Maul says: 'Henry is quite a shy lad who doesn't say a lot but he has what it takes to be a real star of the future.' Jacob Fearnley, 23 - GB No2, world No51 HOTSHOT Jacob is drawing comparisons with a famous fellow Scot, two-time Wimbledon champ Sir Andy Murray, and recent results show the new pretender may just fit the bill. He has had a meteoric rise to No51 in the world rankings, from a lowly 664 at the start of the year, and it seems the only way is up. 17 Jacob Fearnley is drawing comparisons with a famous fellow Scot, two-time Wimbledon champ Sir Andy Murray Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 17 Jacob with stunning US girlfriend, beach volleyball star Keagan Polk Credit: / Instagram The powerfully built big-hitter was born and brought up in Edinburgh where mum Sam, who worked for the NHS, taught him to play tennis from the age of three. But Jacob looks like an American – wears his baseball cap backward and speaks with slight Texan drawl. That's because he came through the US college ranks rather than a tennis academy. He spent five years at the Texas Christian University where fellow Brit Cameron Norrie also built his game, and it is where he met his stunning US girlfriend, beach volleyball star Keagan Polk. At the Australian Open earlier this year, she cheered him on to a win against Aussie bad boy Nick Kyrgios in the first round. She was also in Jacob's box at Wimbledon last year when he took a set off the greatest player of all time, Serb superstar Novak Djokovic. But he has his work cut out in his first match at Wimbledon – up against much-hyped Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca. Dan Evans, 35 - GB No5, world No170 LIKE seven-time Wimbledon champ Novak Djokovic, who comes into this year's tournament aged 38 and world-ranked six, our Dan is in the twilight of his career. Aged 35, he may not have too many more SW19 appearances in him, so catch him now. 17 Dan Evans comes into this year's tournament aged 38 and world-ranked six Credit: Getty 17 Dan will be cheered at Wimbledon by wife Aleah Credit: Alamy The former Brit No1 has slipped to world No170 from a high of 21 just two years ago and only got into this year's draw with a wildcard – but a recent run of form suggests a thrilling last hurrah could just be possible. One of the most working-class players on the circuit, Brummie electrician's son Dan spent a year off the tour after testing positive for cocaine in 2017 but stormed back with a vengeance and is a reformed man. He did Team GB proud last year at the Paris Olympics as he made the doubles quarter-finals with Sir Andy Murray – in the former world No1's emotional farewell to the game. Dan is now is giving his all to his time left on court and delighting fans with his mischievous game of crafty spins. Based in Dubai nowadays, he will be cheered at Wimbledon by wife Aleah as he starts against fellow Brit Jay Clarke, 26, who is GB No7 and world No199. Dan and Aleah plan to have kids once he hangs up his racquet – and he has banked more than £6million in prize money alone so will have plenty of cash for family holidays. The single-handicap golfer will also have time for honing his swing, and following his beloved Aston Villa. OTHER HOME ACES TO SEE FROM talented teens to a most unlikely 11th-hour men's qualifier, here are some other British players to watch . . . 17 Welsh wildcard Mingge 'Mimi' Xu is only 17 and already British No10 Credit: Reuters TIPPED for big things, Welsh wildcard Mingge 'Mimi' Xu is only 17 and already British No10. Born to Chinese parents who met at Swansea University, she is world No318 and has a big ask in round one . . . against Emma Raducanu. 17 Oliver Tarvet battled through qualifying this week into the main draw Credit: Getty HE is the world's 719th best player and No33 in Britain – but Oliver Tarvet, from St Albans, battled through qualifying this week into the main draw. If he wins his first match, against a fellow qualifier, Oliver, 21, could face reigning champ Carlos Alcaraz. 17 Mika Stojsavljevic, 16, is a big server with a style like her childhood idol Maria Sharapova Credit: Getty WILDCARD Mika Stojsavljevic, 16, is a big server with a style like her childhood idol Maria Sharapova. Born in West London to a Serb dad and Polish mum, the 6ft belter made headlines in junior circles by winning last year's US Open girls' title.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
In-form Fritz reaches fourth Eastbourne final
World number five Taylor Fritz continued his fine form in the run-up to Wimbledon by reaching his fourth Eastbourne final with a battling defending champion defeated Spanish world number 28 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 3-6 6-1 to set up a final with fellow American Jenson Brooksby on Saturday.A lucky loser, Brooksby is on a fairytale run at Eastbourne having lost in the second round of world number 149 came from a set down to defeat French fourth seed Ugo Humbert 6-3 3-6 7-5 earlier on who beat world number three Alexander Zverev in the Stuttgart Open final 12 days ago, is among the favourites for the Wimbledon title.A quarter-finalist last year, he will start his Wimbledon campaign against French world number 36 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Monday. In recent years, Fritz has made the Eastbourne men's singles title his own, winning three of the past five Thursday, he won two matches in one day after bad light had postponed his second-round tie the day before."I always feel like things are going to work out for me because they always do for some reason here," said Fritz in his on-court interview."Just showing up here and being on site and playing on centre court. I do that have that bit of confidence." Britons Cash and Glasspool crowned doubles champion Elsewhere at Eastbourne, British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool won the men's doubles title by defeating Uruguayan-Belgian duo Ariel Behar and Joran Vliegen 6-4 7-6 (7-5).It is the pair's fifth title since they partnered up in October, 2024 and comes just five days after they lifted a historic Queen's doubles crown also reached the final of the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships earlier this month in the and Glasspool are seeded fifth at Wimbledon and have been drawn against Dutch duo Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round.
