John McEnroe and Tim Henman believe Jack Draper can now challenge the biggest names in tennis on a regular basis following his US Open heroics. The duo have also maintained that the 22-year-old can break into the world top 10 following his stunning march to the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Draper’s fairytale run in New York came to a halt as he was forced to battle against scorching conditions, and a bout of on-court sickness, as he eventually succumbed 7-5 7-6 6-2 to Jannik Sinner. Sinner went on to clinch the title after beating Taylor Fritz in the final on Sunday, but Draper departed the USA now firmly ranked as the world number 20.
Former US Open semi-finalist Henman, and four-time winner of the US grand slam, McEnroe, think that the British number one can now consistently rival the likes of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and even challenge for more grand slams. Speaking to Sky Sports, Henman was full of praise for Draper’s “breakthrough” appearance in the semi and claimed the achievement is a vital step in his development.
“I think he’s that good a player, I can definitely see Jack winning a slam in the future,” He said. “Getting through to the semis of a slam is a massive break-through. It’s going to help his ranking enormously, he will have broken into, minimum top 20.
“It’s great for Jack to make a statement on the biggest stage, the slams are the cornerstones of our sport, and for him to have played so well and beaten some quality players, it’s a really important moment in Jack’s career.”
Henman was also of the opinion that Draper’s quarter-final victory over Alex De Minaur represented a watershed moment for the young Brit in terms of overcoming hardship. The former Wimbledon semi-finalist also thought it was the match where Draper discovered his “maturity” – two attributes he’ll no doubt need if he wants to cement himself at the top of the sport.
“Dealing with adversity in any professional sport is the most difficult bit and (against De Minaur) there was plenty of adversity because he could get distracted by what was going on in the second set and that was where I think Jack showed mental fortitude, he showed maturity to find a way to come through it.”
Three-time Wimbledon champion McEnroe believes Draper’s run to the last-four in New York will have given the youngster a sense of freedom too. The 65-year-old also candidly revealed that his semi-final appearance could finally free Draper from the weight of having to live up to Andy Murray as British tennis’ next big hope.
“Jack has had some hard luck with injuries and he had some issues with his fitness stepping up into the big time,” McEnroe said. “With Andy Murray retiring, he had to step up into that role in British tennis and that is not easy at all.
McEnroe also praised Draper’s game and admits he was impressed by the Brit’s “movement”. While the legend of the game conceded that Draper had a kind draw in the US, a twist of fate also aided by the early exits of Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, he thinks Draper could now become a constant fixture in the game’s top ten.
“He has benefitted from a favourable draw at this year’s US Open, but I feel like he is playing the game with a little more abandon now and that is helping him,” he said. “He has a lot going for him.
“I knew he was going to be good and one area where he has impressed me at the US Open is with his movement. That makes me think he could become a regular in the top ten of the rankings from now on.
“He has already gained quite a bit at this US Open and he has nothing to lose at this point. He just needs to push on from here.”
Draper himself also maintains he is on the right path to claim a future Grand Slam. Speaking after his defeat to Sinner, he confidently asserted that it’s only “a matter of time” before he bags a major victory.
“I don’t think I need to do anything different,” he said. “I think it’s just a matter of time. I think I’m constantly trying to improve. I’ve got great people around me, I’m doing all the right things.”
