Jack Draper has spoken of his pleasure at changing into the brand new British No 1, including that “I knew my time was going to come” when reflecting on successful his first profession ATP Tour title.
Draper battled again to beat Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 3-6 7-6 6-4 within the ultimate of the Stuttgart Open on Sunday, seeing him transfer as much as thirty first on this planet rankings and leapfrog Cameron Norrie as Britain’s high males’s tennis participant.
“It fills me with a lot of pride and confidence,” Draper advised Sky Sports activities of following within the footsteps of Norrie and Andy Murray earlier than him.
“To be in this position I’m in now is a great privilege. It’s honestly something I’ve wanted since I was younger. It’s amazing.”
The 22-year-old added: “I have been working so laborious, doing the fitting issues for such a very long time now, that I knew my time was going to come back in one in every of these occasions.
“I used to be in a interval over the clay-court season the place I used to be actually making an attempt to alter my id as a tennis participant, making an attempt to be extra aggressive and take extra dangers, take the ball on much more.
“I have been doing that in follow so effectively that when it got here to the matches, I used to be simply actually assured.
“I’m really proud of the way I played last week. To beat the players I beat and win my first title, I’m incredibly proud of that achievement.”
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A glance again on the story of Draper’s sensational victory on the Stuttgart Open
Draper: My purpose is to be top-of-the-line on this planet
Draper’s victory in Stuttgart means he is set to be seeded for the boys’s singles draw at Wimbledon subsequent month, a far cry from the place he discovered himself in a yr in the past when a shoulder drawback dominated him out of the grass-court season.
As he continues his preparations for his SW19 return, Draper performs Argentinian Mariano Navone within the first spherical at Queen’s Membership on Tuesday.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, who this week mentioned Draper “can get right up to the top of the game”, faces Alexei Popyrin in his Queen’s opener, additionally on Tuesday.
“It’s been a big goal of mine since the start of the season,” Draper mentioned of his possible Wimbledon seeding.
“Everyone’s an amazing player, but those seeds protect you from playing a top, top player in the first or second round – which has been a slight issue for me this year.
“I am extremely blissful to be in that place and hopefully I can hold rising.”
As for Murray’s comments, Draper told a press conference at Queen’s on Monday: “It is superb to listen to that from somebody like Andy.
“My goal is to be one of the top players in the world.”
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After claiming his first ATP title, Draper highlighted how a lot his victory meant to him
What’s developing on Sky Sports activities Tennis?
Within the run-up to the third Grand Slam of 2024 – Wimbledon – you may watch the largest tennis stars in motion reside on Sky Sports activities on the following tournaments:
- Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
- Halle (ATP 500) – June 17-23
- Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
- Unhealthy Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29
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