Jack Draper's Commanding Start at Wimbledon 2025

British number one Jack Draper made a strong start to his Wimbledon 2025 campaign with a commanding performance against Sebastian Baez, who unfortunately had to retire due to injury. Draper, seeded fourth following a remarkable rise over the past year, was leading 6-2, 6-2, 2-1 when Baez decided to call it quits after one hour and 14 minutes of play.

Match Highlights

• Early Dominance: Draper broke Baez in the first game and maintained control throughout the match.
• Injury Impact: Baez, a clay-court specialist, needed treatment after slipping on the Court One baseline during the second set.
• Draper's Reaction: "I wanted to play a bit longer in all honesty. I felt I was getting my tennis together," Draper said. He also wished Baez a speedy recovery.

The Road Ahead

With Andy Murray's retirement, the spotlight has intensified on 23-year-old Draper. His next challenge is against 2017 runner-up Marin Cilic, whose grass-court experience poses a significant threat.

Draper's Growing Popularity

Draper's increasing star status was evident as actress and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, his co-star in a recent Burberry campaign, was seen supporting him from the stands. The home crowd's growing affection for Draper was also visible, with barely an empty seat on Court One.

Key to Success: The Serve

Draper's powerful and varied serve has been a crucial factor in his success on grass. Against Baez, he landed 78% of his first serves in the first set, winning 86% of those points, including four aces. By the time Baez retired, Draper had won 93% of his first-serve points.

Draper's Ambitions

"I love Wimbledon. If there's any tournament I want to play my best in, any tournament that I want to win, it's this one," Draper emphasized. He is determined to do everything in his power to excel at this prestigious event.

Related Matches

• Evans Wins First Wimbledon Match in Four Years: Published 20 hours ago.
• Kvitova Bids Farewell to Wimbledon: Published 14 hours ago.
• Gauff Stunned in First Round: Published 12 hours ago.

Conclusion

Jack Draper's performance at Wimbledon 2025 has already shown promise, and with his serve and determination, he is a strong contender to watch as the tournament progresses.