By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Thursday, March 13, 2025
Photo credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photography
Every summer, for two exhilarating weeks, Southwest London transforms into the heartbeat of the sports world.
Despite its worldwide acclaim as the premier event in tennis, British No. 1 Jack Draper believes that other European countries showcase a richer tennis culture than the UK.
After securing a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Taylor Fritz, the 2022 BNP Paribas Open champion, Draper expressed his views on the matter during a press conference in Indian Wells.
“While we certainly have Wimbledon, a tremendous sporting landmark, I feel as though our engagement with tennis is concentrated into just a few weeks each year,” Draper shared. “We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have icons like Andy Murray to motivate and guide us towards excelling in the sport.”
“However, I must admit, our overall tennis culture in the UK isn’t as robust as it is elsewhere.”
Last September, Draper etched his name in history as only the fourth British male player in the Open Era to advance to the semifinals of the US Open.
The ambitious 23-year-old aims to inspire a new generation of British players, including former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, to elevate the sport at home.
“Countries like Italy, Spain, and France have a much deeper passion for tennis,” Draper acknowledged. “But I remain hopeful that with our upcoming talents, like myself and Emma, we can shine a light on the game and motivate more people to take it up.”
