Jack Draper’s meteoric rise on the ATP Tour has sent ripples through the tennis world, especially after his breakthrough title at the Indian Wells Masters. The 22-year-old Briton stunned fans and analysts alike by storming past a formidable lineup — including Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz — before sealing the deal with a commanding win over Holger Rune in the final. That spectacular run didn’t just earn him silverware; it catapulted him into the top 10 of the ATP Rankings for the very first time.
With his game peaking at the right time and his confidence soaring, many now believe Draper could be a real threat at Wimbledon — even a legitimate title challenger. Among those backing him is Sky Sports Tennis pundit Jonathan Overend, who didn’t hold back in his bold assessment.
“I absolutely think he can win Wimbledon,” Overend told Sky Sports. “I don’t think we should be scared of saying that.
“I actually said at the start of the year that I thought a British player would make the Wimbledon final. Absolutely no logic behind that other than waking up in the middle of the night and having a premonition, and Draper is the leading contender out of the likes of Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu.
“No one would want to draw him and now he’s into the world’s top eight, that means he only plays those players ahead of him at the quarter-final stage at the earliest, so that’s a really little significant landmark in the rankings.
“Once you’re inside the top eight that’s a big bonus at the Grand Slams, and it’s on grass. It’s in his backyard, it’s a couple of miles from his home. It’s absolutely perfectly set up.
“I’m not saying it’s going to happen but he’s a live contender for Wimbledon 2025.”
For a country still waiting for a homegrown men’s singles Wimbledon champion since Fred Perry’s iconic 1936 triumph, Draper’s ascent has revived hope and stirred national pride. Overend’s optimism reflects the buzz surrounding Draper’s blistering form, but he’s not the only one sharing that sentiment.
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman — recently named Team Europe’s vice-captain for the upcoming Laver Cup — has long kept an eye on Draper’s development, and he believes the young Brit is entering the prime of his career with a well-calibrated plan.
“It’s absolutely fantastic the way that Jack’s been playing and I’m not really that surprised,” Henman said.
“I think what is taking place now is the pieces of the puzzle coming together and those pieces have always been there, but if anything, it’s just perhaps been a few of the little injuries that have kept him from building that momentum in tournament play.
“That’s what I think is exciting – he’s seven in the world, he’s just won his first Masters 1000 and to me, he still hasn’t really played a consistent 12-18 months on Tour.”
According to Henman, Draper’s game is built on solid foundations, with his serve and forehand already operating at an elite level. But the former Wimbledon semifinalist also sees room for the youngster to elevate his all-court prowess even further.
“I think when you take a deeper dive into his game, there are very few weaknesses and still areas to improve on.
“The quality of his serving has been huge, hitting his spots very well, the power on the forehand was brilliant to watch in Indian Wells.
“I would like him to finish more points at the net. When you’re that aggressive you can bring that extra string to your bow, but for a big guy, he’s a great athlete who moves well.
“I think that’s what I find exciting for the next decade, hopefully.”
Henman’s enthusiasm is tempered with realism. Draper’s journey, as he puts it, mirrors the highs and lows of the pro tennis grind — one week you’re hoisting a trophy, the next you’re packing your bags early. Following his Indian Wells triumph, Draper fell at the first hurdle in Miami — a stark reminder of the rollercoaster nature of elite sport.
“Jack is doing all the right things,” Henman added. “My message would be ‘more of the same’.
“I think Indian Wells and Miami are the perfect example of the life of a professional tennis player in that you’ve got the greatest high of his career and then losing the first match in Miami.
“As frustrating and disappointing as that may be, that goes with the territory. Keep developing, keep working hard and who knows what Jack can go on to achieve.
“He doesn’t know and we don’t know, but he’s going to find out and I’ll certainly be doing my bit to persuade him to be involved because I think he will be a big asset for Team Europe.”
Draper may still be carving out his path in the world of tennis, but with Grand Slam pedigree, relentless drive, and the weight of a nation behind him, the stage is well and truly set for a potential fairytale run at Wimbledon 2025.