Jack Draper may have to beat three of the best players on the planet to become Britain’s first Wimbledon singles champion since Andy Murray.
Draper booked his spot in the second round of the men’s singles on Tuesday after his opponent Sebastian Baez retried due to an injury.
The British No.1, seeded fourth at this year’s Championships, next faces Croatian veteran Marin Cilic as he looks to go all the way in SW19.
There has been lots of talk about Draper’s incredibly tricky route to the Wimbledon final with some huge names on his projected path coming up.
Draper is on a collision course to face Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals – if both men make it that far – and he’d then likely have to beat Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the last four and final respectively to land the trophy.
The 23-year-old, though, isn’t looking that far ahead just yet and doesn’t want to focus on his nightmare draw at the All England Club too much.
‘I have to face whoever is in front of me’
Speaking on the court after his victory over Baez and quizzed how he is dealing with the pressure, Draper said: ‘I don’t think about it – until people mention it every five minutes!
‘I just think about what I can control and play the best tennis I can. You can’t think about any of that.
‘I’m really looking forward to this next week or so, it’s going to be great.
‘I have to face whoever is in front of me, I can’t be thinking about five matches ahead. I focus on whoever is up next.
‘Everyone who is in this draw is in on their own merit, they can all play incredible tennis. Until I earn my place in the next round, I’m not there yet.’
‘Having the British support is massive’
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Draper added: ‘I think having the British support is massive.
‘We’re always playing with pressure. There’s a little bit more here and stuff. But honestly, like, I haven’t thought about it.
‘I feel like I can handle things that come my way. I’ve been through a lot of things in my life so far. This is something that I can handle, for sure.’
