Wimbledon 2025: Jack Draper credits Andy Murray for ‘huge effect’ on new generation of British talent – ‘We’re in a good spot’

Jack Draper talked up Andy Murray’s “huge effect” on the new generation of British tennis players.

There has been an increased focus on the 23-year-old Draper with it being the first Wimbledon since Murray’s retirement.

And after the match, Draper spoke of the immense influence of the three-time Grand Slam winner on the new generation of British tennis players.

On Murray, who in 2013 ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a Wimbledon champion, Draper told his post-match press conference: “Obviously, Andy has had a huge effect on a lot of the younger generation, watching his success over the years, major success on the big stage.

“When we were younger, we were watching him lift those big trophies.

“I think it’s really exciting, both on the men’s and women’s side. On the men’s side, you’ve got guys like Johannus Monday, (George) Loffhagen, (Jack) Pinnington Jones, (Arthur) Fery.

“On the women’s side, you have Emma Raducanu, the younger girls like Mimi Xu, (Hannah) Klugman, (Ranah Akua) Stoiber. I think it’s really exciting, British tennis.

“We’re in a good spot. Everyone has a really good work ethic.

“Again, I think Andy has shown the way for that. Dan (Evans) and Cam (Norrie). The work ethic, the desire to get better as a player.

“It’s really exciting what we’re going to have in the next 10 years for me. It’s cool to be a part of that.”

Elsewhere, Draper claimed that five-set matches are the “ultimate challenge” for a tennis player.

“I think my personal opinion is that the Grand Slams, it’s amazing that it’s five sets”, Draper said. “That’s the prestige of a Grand Slam. It’s almost a different sport. That’s why it’s so amazing to win one, because it’s the ultimate challenge as a tennis player.

“They can be very long. As a fan of tennis, the ups and downs of a five-set match only happen four times a year in the Grand Slams. It’s tough for the guys sometimes to play so long.

“At the same time, I think if we lose the five sets, we lose the kind of prestige of the Grand Slams.

“I think maybe a couple years ago if you asked me, ‘Do you want to get rid of the five sets?’ I’d sign for it within an hour. I think now I understand the importance of just how amazing it is to be able to play. If you’re going to win one, it’s the ultimate challenge.”