The king is dead. Long live the ki … well, not exactly. Not yet. But on the day that Andy Murray announced he had played his last singles match at Wimbledon, Jack Draper stepped in to give the Centre Court crowd – and a primetime BBC One audience – a wholly familiar sensation: of being put through an emotional wringer by a British No 1.
There were loud cries of “Come on Jack” before every big point, especially in a wild final two sets, as well as a fistpump that was eerily reminiscent of Murray. He even wore a cap to cover his eyes when the shadows began to creep across the court. Fortunately for Draper, though, the sun has not yet set on his Wimbledon fortnight.
This had been expected to be an entirely straightforward opener against Elias Ymer, a 28-year-old Swede with a ranking of 205 – and with a grand slam record of nine defeats in 10 matches. It proved to be anything but. Draper was nervy to start with, and powerful but wildly inconsistent after that, before finally coming through 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in a 3hr 17min mini-epic.
“I really enjoyed it,” Draper said, before joking to the Centre Court crowd. “I know you guys wanted to see Andy out here, but you were stuck with me instead.”
Draper then insisted he was ready to assume the mantle of being British No 1, before paying tribute to Murray. “I wouldn’t be here without Andy,” he said.
“He is an incredible guy off the court, so funny, so genuine, one of a kind. And what a competitor – and what a champion.”
The 22-year-old Draper had to display similar fighting qualities after replacing Murray on Centre Court, following the Scot’s withdrawal with a back injury earlier on Tuesday.
Initially, though, all seemed to be to plan: Draper broke to 15 in the first game of the match, helped by a deft drop shot. Indeed there was even a sense that the Briton was determined to enjoy himself – perhaps a little too much. At 40-15 up in the next game, he hit an unnecessary tweener between his legs, but paid the price as he went on to lose the next four points and his serve.
That seemed to jolt Draper, whose range on his forehand was frequently too short. Another break followed at 4-3 and soon the first set was gone. Most of it was down to Ymer’s impressive play, however: with 14 winners – to just four unforced errors – flying off the Swede’s racket.
To the relief of the crowd, the second set provided a better demonstration of the traits that make Draper a lively candidate to have a run at these Championships. That wicked lefty serve from a 6ft 4in frame, a bludgeoning forehand and a sharp net game that helped him to win the set 6-3 and level the match.
Problem solved? Not entirely. The third set started with Draper hitting a superb running forehand winner before breaking immediately after Ymer served a double fault. He then consolidated the break before kicking on, helped by a lovely drop shot and lob combination that put him 3-1 ahead.
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It would have been easy for Ymer to allow his head to drop. Instead he fought back to 3-3, aided by two superb running forehand winners and a shocking unforced backhand error from Draper. Yet the Briton showed great resilience to break back and then take the third set 6-4.
Yet once more, Draper quickly lost his concentration. At 40-15 up in the opening game of the fourth set he hit an easy volley straight back at his opponent – allowing Ymer to capitalise – first by lobbing his opponent and then by breaking him. The pair then traded breaks before Ymer sealed the set 6-4.
Draper’s response? To smash his racket in frustration. However, the delay as the roof was closed before the fifth set seemed to calm his mind and strengthen his resolve. He broke early in the fifth set, and while he missed five further breakpoints at 4-1 up it ultimately did not matter as a backhand winner sealed the match. Draper lost only three points on serve in the entire fifth set.
No wonder he praised the crowd afterwards. “You guys were incredible,” he said. “I love playing in front of loads of people. There were some nervy moments – I appreciate all the support. It helps a lot.”
Draper knows he will have to play a lot better to make a run, starting against his compatriot Cam Norrie on Thursday. But he has certainly proved his character – and his resolve.
