Jack Draper thinks the tennis tradition throughout the UK might be higher and hopes that he and Emma Raducanu might handle that and make extra folks fall in love with the sport.
This week in Indian Wells, the 23-year-old is making some noise as he beat rising star Joao Fonseca and three American gamers – Jenson Brooksby, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton – to achieve his first Masters semifinal. For the Briton, that is his second semifinal on the massive stage as he was additionally a semifinalist eventually 12 months’s US Open.
Within the midst of his promising run within the desert, Draper was requested to charge the UK tennis tradition. He began by mentioning that they’ve one of many largest tournaments on the planet (Wimbledon) and likewise acknowledged that Andy Murray did some nice issues and was a really constructive affect throughout his enjoying days. However nonetheless, feels that the UK is behind another tennis nations.
Draper: Our tennis tradition is not big… Can be good to vary that with Raducanu, different rising stars
“I would say our precise tradition for tennis is not big within the UK. Clearly different tennis nations, you already know, I feel have it higher with Italy and Spain and France,” the 23-year-old stated.
“They love tennis much more than we do as a nation, however I feel, you already know, hopefully with what’s to return with the grass and hopefully gamers like myself and Emma and different prime gamers coming by that we are able to actually placed on a great present and encourage lots of people to play.”
Whereas Nice Britain has one of many richest tennis histories, it took them a very long time earlier than they’d one other male Grand Slam or Wimbledon champion. When Andy Murray gained Wimbledon in 2013, he grew to become the primary British male since Fred Perry in 1936 to win a Slam or The Championships.
When Raducanu gained the 2021 US Open, she grew to become the primary British feminine to win a Main since Virginia Wade in 1977.
Clearly, profitable on the largest stage is the very best and easiest method for a nation to get extra all for tennis. So if Draper and Raducanu land some Grand Slams within the close to future, there isn’t a doubt that it could result in extra curiosity in tennis throughout the UK.
