ANALYSIS: Can Jack Draper fill the hole in British tennis since Andy Murray’s retirement?

For over a decade, Andy Murray was the face of British tennis, carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. However, following his retirement earlier this year, there has been a gap in British tennis, a void that no one seemed quite ready to fill. This weekend, Jack Draper, a 22-year-old left-hander, won his maiden ATP 500 title at the Vienna Open, defeating Karen Khachanov in a thrilling straight-set victory (6-4, 7-5).  

This achievement has reignited the hopes of British tennis fans, raising the question: has British tennis found its next big star?

Andy Murray’s career set a remarkable standard for British tennis. With three Grand Slam titles to his name, Wimbledon twice and the US Open, alongside two Olympic gold medals, Murray reached heights few British players have achieved. It’s an impressive feat regardless, but even more so when you consider the level of competitors he had to face in his era. But Murray’s legacy extends beyond his titles. Murray often had to endure intense media scrutiny, feeling the weight of British expectations regardless of his success.

"Since I've stopped, I feel really free and have got lots of time to do whatever it is I want," Murray reflected on BBC Radio 4's Today programme last month. In retirement, Murray has been candid about the challenges of constantly facing public pressure. “It was really hard for me at times, reaching the final at Wimbledon and being criticised for your work or feeling you are not good enough,” he shared. "Which I think is wrong, and I don't know if that would be the case in every country.”

For Draper, the challenge of following in Murray’s footsteps brings its own expectations. British fans have been longing for another tennis star, and while Emma Raducanu briefly filled that role with her stunning 2021 US Open victory, injuries have hindered her ability to capitalise on that momentum. The spotlight, once again, turns to Draper, a player who has battled through his own injury setbacks to now stand on the brink of tennis stardom.

Draper's journey has not been easy. Injuries have often derailed his progress, stalling his potential and leaving many to wonder if he could ever overcome these obstacles. But his triumph at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna suggests that Draper has not only weathered these setbacks but emerged stronger. Ranked British No. 1, Draper’s victory over Khachanov showcased his talent and skill.

The Vienna Open final highlighted Draper’s game as he took an early break in the first set to lead 2-1, a move that defined the remainder of the match. He kept Khachanov at bay in the first set, capitalising on his lead and holding strong against break point opportunities. The second set saw Draper surge to a 4-0 lead after breaking Khachanov twice in quick succession. Although Khachanov levelled the score, Draper maintained his composure, ultimately prevailing 7-5 to claim his first ATP 500 title. In doing so, he became the first British man to claim the title since guess who, Andy Murray.

"I'm really happy with the way I've progressed this year," Draper told Sky Sports following his win. "I'll focus on next week and then I'm going to look forward to having a bit of time off and probably not thinking about tennis.” As Draper prepares for next season with the ambition to challenge top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, he expressed a clear desire to improve and compete at the highest level.  

"If I can keep on improving physically and keep on getting more and more experience at this higher level against top players then I'm going to give myself a shot to hopefully be competing with those guys,” he explained. Clearly, Draper wants to be right at the top.

Draper’s rise to World No. 14 marks an impressive achievement, especially for a player who has missed significant time due to injury. His semi-final appearance at the US Open earlier this year, where he was narrowly defeated by World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, highlighted his potential to compete against the very best. Draper’s 2024 season has also seen him clinch his maiden ATP title in Stuttgart, a breakthrough that set the stage for his current rise. At Queen's, he stunned fans by defeating World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, further establishing himself as a player who could soon take on the top ranks in tennis.

However, the road ahead is challenging. Alcaraz, just 21, already has four Grand Slam titles to his name, while Sinner has claimed two Grand Slam victories this year. Draper is entering an era marked by extraordinary talent, where competing with the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner will require continued improvement and maximising every ounce of his talent.  

British tennis stars have often faced intense media scrutiny, and Draper is no exception. From Fred Perry to Virginia Wade to Tim Henman, and most recently, Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu, the UK has a history of placing its athletes on a pedestal, only to subject them to immense pressure. Murray’s experience is a case in point. "It might have not been the case, but my perception was I was feeling I was being attacked even when I was doing really well, and that was pretty hard,” he admitted in a recent interview. This high expectation isn’t exclusive to tennis, across British sport, figures like footballer Harry Kane and cricketer Joe Root have also had to navigate the pressures of fan and media scrutiny.

For Draper, the challenge will be to handle these pressures while maintaining focus on his growth and performance. Like Murray, Draper’s every victory, and failure, will be dissected by fans and pundits alike. But his recent comments suggest a player with a level-headed approach to both his career and personal expectations. "It's been a long year, and it has taken a lot out of me," Draper noted. "And then I'll refresh and I'll go again for next year with even bigger motivation to really shake up those guys at the top of the game."

To consistently challenge the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz, Draper will need to focus on several key areas. Firstly, staying injury-free will be crucial. Injuries have plagued him in recent years, and maintaining his fitness will be essential to sustaining his performance. Furthermore, Draper has shown a knack for breaking through in big matches, but consistency across tournaments will be necessary to climb higher in the rankings. His left-handed playing style and aggressive baseline play provide him with a unique edge, yet he will need to continually refine his game.

The challenge of playing in the post-“Big Three” era, without the towering figures of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, creates an open field but one filled with exceptionally talented young stars. If Draper can stay healthy and build upon his impressive 2024 season, he has a real shot at competing for major titles in the coming years.

Only time will tell if Draper will reach the heights of his predecessors. With Murray’s retirement, the torch has effectively been passed to Draper, who now has the opportunity to step into a leading role in British tennis. His recent successes have already set him apart as a serious contender, and his ambition to challenge the top players in the game signals a player with the drive and skill necessary to make his mark.

As Draper himself put it, "If I can keep on improving physically and keep on getting more and more experience at this higher level against top players, then I'm going to give myself a shot.” With the British media and fans watching closely, Draper has taken his first major steps toward becoming the star British tennis has been looking for.

Whether he will fully claim that title remains to be seen. But after this weekend’s triumph in Vienna, one thing is certain, Jack Draper is well on his way. "Jack Draper claims his first ATP 500 title in Vienna, sparking hopes as Britain’s next tennis star after Andy Murray’s retirement. Can he fill Murray’s shoes?"