British player Jack Draper’s impressive two-week run came to an end after a close loss to Tommy Paul at Queen’s. Despite his recent successes, including winning his first ATP Tour title and becoming the British number one, Draper seemed fatigued during the match. He mentioned that while he felt physically good, the mental toll of playing day after day was challenging.
Although Draper lost, he secured a seeding for Wimbledon, which is set to begin on July 1st. Another British player, Billy Harris, also had a memorable run at Queen’s but fell short of reaching his first ATP semi-final after a loss to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. Harris will now move into the top 150 in the world rankings.
The emotional and physical demands of the past week caught up with Draper during his match against Paul, but his improved fitness allowed him to keep the game competitive. Despite a strong performance in the second set, Draper’s fatigue ultimately led to his defeat. However, experts believe that Draper’s potential is yet to be fully realized, and there is room for growth and improvement in his game.
In a surprising turn of events, Harris, who has previously traveled to tournaments in a Ford Transit van, is now set to make his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon. His earnings from reaching the quarter-finals at Queen’s will provide a financial boost, with plans to potentially invest in a new vehicle for his tennis travels.
On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina retired from her Berlin Open quarter-final match due to illness, adding to her season’s struggles with gastrointestinal issues. The rain-delayed Berlin Open saw disruptions in the schedule, with matches rescheduled for the following day. In the men’s Halle Open, top players like Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner advanced to the semi-finals after hard-fought matches.
As the tennis season progresses, players like Draper, Harris, Rybakina, and others continue to navigate the challenges of professional tennis, balancing physical demands, mental resilience, and the pursuit of their athletic goals. The upcoming Wimbledon tournament promises more excitement and opportunities for these players to showcase their talents on a global stage.