US Open: Andy Murray has retired so will the strain be on Jack Draper to supply the products in New York?

Former British No 1 Tim Henman is backing younger Jack Draper to interrupt into the world’s high 10 as long as he continues to focus on his preparation and efficiency.

Draper grew to become the brand new British No 1 after accumulating his first profession ATP Tour title in Stuttgart earlier this summer time earlier than upsetting Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s Membership.

It was a far cry from the place he discovered himself in 12 months in the past when a shoulder drawback dominated him out of all the grass-court season.

The 22-year-old left-hander has additionally suffered from a variety of bodily illnesses previously, however now he is on an upwards trajectory and contained in the world’s high 30.

With the US Open on the horizon, the British media and public will likely be wanting in direction of Draper because the pure substitute for Murray after the 37-year-old known as an finish to his profession on the Paris Olympics.

“I do not assume there’s as a lot strain on Draper but it surely’s necessary that Jack actually concentrates and continues to pay attention as a result of that is round his preparation and efficiency. He is seeking to enhance completely different facets of his recreation,” Henman informed Sky Sports activities.

“He isn’t on the market to be the brand new Andy Murray. He is on the market to be Jack Draper and he is improved a lot.

“I believe it is extra of the identical. He is trending in the fitting route, he is high 30 on this planet, he’ll be seeded in New York so I hope he can break into the highest 20 and high 10 within the not too distant future.”

Draper has a profitable working relationship alongside Cameron Norrie’s former coach, James Trotman, and Wayne Ferreira, who’s a two-time Australian Open semi-finalist.

And Henman feels that successful his maiden title in Stuttgart will play an enormous function in Draper’s confidence and perception heading into the US Open the place the Brit reached the fourth spherical final yr.

“The problem across the schedule of tennis is throughout the calendar we have actually acquired 4 majors within the area of about three months. You have acquired the French Open, Wimbledon, the Olympics, and now you’ve got acquired the Olympics so it is very tough to peak in any respect these occasions however successful your first title on tour is a large breakthrough,” stated Henman.

“It is nice on your personal private confidence as a result of Jack hasn’t performed fairly in addition to he would have favored in the previous couple of occasions however he can actually flip that round on exhausting in America going into the US Open.”

Regardless of the title in Germany, Draper has didn’t capitalise on the successful momentum with early exits at Wimbledon and Montreal, however Henman just isn’t apprehensive by outcomes and believes they may include time.

The four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist stated: “It is nonetheless actually studying about his recreation and competing on the greatest and greatest tournaments as a result of he is nonetheless constructing that basis and momentum.

“He had accidents final yr and did not play a full schedule so I believe simply being on the market and persevering with to enhance – generally it is easy to get caught up in outcomes and issues but when he retains working exhausting, retains working in the fitting areas then the outcomes will come as a result of he is that good a participant.”

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