‘Draper running with the baton passed by Murray’

Jack Draper has long been seen as the natural successor to Andy Murray as the king of British tennis.

So, in the first major tournament since the retiring Murray abdicated, it feels apt Draper has enjoyed the best Grand Slam run of his career.

The 22-year-old left-hander has surged into the US Open quarter-finals, becoming the first British man to reach this stage since his idol Murray in 2016.

The baton from Murray had already been passed. Now Draper is starting to run with it.

“To follow in Andy’s footsteps, it’s a big achievement for me,” said world number 25 Draper, who faces Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur in the last eight on Wednesday.

“I know that there’s still room for improvement and still room to hopefully go further.”

The manner in which he brushed aside Czech opponent Tomas Machac – a talented player who many feel has the ability to be ranked higher – in the fourth round on Monday was an indication of his intent.

Draper’s performance was described as a “masterclass” by former British number one Tim Henman.

“He has been world class,” added Henman, watching courtside in his role as an analyst for Sky Sports. “It is a real statement to the locker room.”

In a US Open men’s singles where Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz lost early on, and only Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner left who have previously won major titles, Draper has played himself into the mix.

When Murray said a few months ago he thought Draper could get “right to the top of the game”, nobody thought it was outlandish.

The Scot’s assessment came moments after Draper won his first ATP title and became the youngest British men’s number one since him in 2009.

“Jack, I think, has bigger goals to aspire to than being British number one,” said three-time major champion Murray, who reached the top of the world rankings in 2016.

In response, Draper agreed. He had not thought about being his nation’s best player because he was solely focused on becoming the world’s leading man.

Draper oozes assurance without any hint of arrogance. He also has the tools to trouble anyone.

Possessing a heavy first serve which rocks opponents, the ability to hit explosively with his forehand and the willingness to add in variety when necessary, the 25th seed has confidently breezed through the US Open draw – although is yet to face a higher ranked opponent.

Playing with calmness and clarity, Draper has not dropped a set and is unleashing his game with a belief that has forced his rivals into submission.

That composed demeanour remained after he clinched victory against Machac, responding with simply a shake of the racquet and a steely glare towards his team.

“Anybody who is following world tennis would agree that Jack has got huge potential and a player that can certainly on his day perform with the best players of the world,” his coach James Trotman told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He’s shown that on numerous occasions, but to come into the Grand Slam and to be in the quarters here, his longest run so far, I think is an incredible achievement and let’s try and keep it rolling.”

On court, he has been efficient and utterly focused.

Off the court it has been the same mindset.

New York might be known as The City That Never Sleeps, possessing a buzz and an energy which can lead to temptation.

But Draper’s increased professionalism means he has been sticking to takeaway food deliveries and watching movies in his Manhattan hotel.

“I love playing on the big stage but I have had to control my emotions,” said Draper, who has also bounced back from facing “difficult” criticism after a controversial incident in Cincinnati last month.

“When you get these moments where your energy drops, especially in a best of five sets which is going to happen, [you’re] trying to stay present and trying to not go away from what you’re trying to achieve.”

Many in British tennis circles have known for a long time that Draper had the talent to earn a spot among the world’s best.

Glimpses of his raw ability were apparent when he reached the Wimbledon boys’ final in 2018.

Taking a set off Novak Djokovic on his Wimbledon debut as a teenager in 2021 made even more people take notice.

Then the 2022 and 2023 seasons were blighted by the physical issues which hampered Draper’s progress.

On the back of a series of injuries and mid-match retirements, a shoulder problem ended his French Open campaign last year – leading to Draper lamenting being “the guy who’s injured a lot”.

It also ruled him out of the entire British grass-court season.

“My body was just made of glass at that point,” reflected Draper, who was ranked 123rd at last year’s US Open.

Now fit and injury-free, he is enjoying the fruits of hard labour building up his body.

Starting to work again with fitness trainer Steve Kotze, who Draper describes as “one of the best in the world”, has been a catalyst.

Physio Will Herbert, the man known as “The Mechanic” by Emma Raducanu for his work during her fairytale run to the 2021 US Open title, is another key member of Draper’s team.

Becoming more robust has to led to that first ATP title in Stuttgart, which he followed by beating Alcaraz at Queen’s, before this breakout run in New York.

“He’s a great human being, he’s had his tough times, was making progress and then something would happen – that was tough to take for him,” said British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith.

“He’s very ambitious and absolutely loves the sport.

“Now for the first time he’s had a period of time where’s been able to have a run at it.”

As well as thriving under the spotlight on court, Draper is completely at ease with attention off it.

Glamorous photoshoots with stylish fashion magazines – teaming up with fellow British player Katie Boulter for Tatler last year before recently appearing in Vogue on his own – has shown his appeal to wider markets.

“I quite enjoy being in front of the camera, if I’m looking good, that is,” Draper quipped to Vogue.

Another indication of his star appeal was the sight of Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor-in-chief, sat with his support team during the Machac masterclass.

Despite attracting the glitz and glamour, home is where the heart is for Draper – who recently moved out of shared digs with fellow British player Paul Jubb and into his own property in south-west London.

He recently said his dream holiday destination was “home” because he is hardly ever there.

Describing himself as a “big family guy”, the support of his nearest and dearest has been crucial.

Draper’s mother Nicky – who the player credits as one of his biggest influences – is a coach and former junior champion, while father Roger was the chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association.

His brother Ben, a former college player in the United States, is his agent.

While he is described as a “tennis keeno” by former British player Laura Robson, Draper is also a man with varied interests off the court.

As well as fashion, he is a football fan who follows Manchester United and also loves listening to Oasis.

Seeing the Gallagher brothers’ reunion at Wembley Stadium has been discussed by Draper while in New York – and, although winning the US Open remains as tough a task as bagging a ticket for Oasis, he is very happy to roll with it.