British No. 1 Jack Draper began his grass court season on a high note, achieving his first victory of the season with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 win against Jenson Brooksby at Queen’s Club. Draper, who is seeded second at the HSBC Championships, is looking to become only the second British man to win the singles title in the Open era, following in the footsteps of Andy Murray.
In his match on the court named after the five-time champion, Draper displayed a powerful performance, laughingly noting the influence of Murray, who retired last year. “Can’t get rid of this guy,” Draper joked about his mentor. “Andy is an unbelievable guy, someone I’m very inspired by and I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”
Draper seemed to avoid injury when chasing down an overhead but successfully closed out the first set with a fierce forehand. He celebrated his victory by writing “good to be home” on a camera lens. In the second round, he is set to face Australian No. 21 Alexei Popyrin.
This event comes alongside exciting performances from other players. Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his French Open victory, extended his winning streak, demonstrating remarkable form against Adam Walton. Meanwhile, defending champion Katie Boulter also shined with a comprehensive win, continuing her ambitions for a third consecutive title at the Nottingham Open.
The tournament is attracting attention not only for the matches but for the uplifting performances from home favorites, creating a thrilling atmosphere as players gear up for Wimbledon. Young player Mimi Xu made headlines as well, marking a successful WTA Tour debut, indicating a bright future for British tennis.
Overall, the grass court season promises to bring spirited competition and perhaps the rise of new stars alongside established icons in the sport.