Andy Murray waxes lyrical on British tennis as ‘best prospect’ emerges

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Andy Murray has praised the current state of British men’s tennis as he threw his weight behind Jack Draper becoming the next big thing. The former world No 1 has been unable to return to his old heights since undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 but is one of four Brits in the top 50 of the ATP rankings and has been impressed with his successors.

Murray is one of four British men to finish 2022 inside the top 50 of the ATP rankings after starting the year at No 134. While the three-time Grand Slam champion was once the leader of the back in British tennis, Cameron Norrie has been on top this year – breaking into the top 10 and reaching the Wimbledon semi-final – but the 35-year-old is happy to watch his peers taste success.

Despite Norrie’s success and Dan Evans’ consistency this season, there is arguably no one he has more belief in than Jack Draper, with the 20-year-old starting the year at No 265 in the world and eventually hitting a career-high of No 41. And the two-time Olympic champion has now made a big claim, suggesting that the Sutton native was one of the tour’s “best prospects”.

“Yeah, I think it’s been good,” the current world No 49 said on the ATP Tour podcast. “Yeah. I mean, I think you know, Jack is one of the best prospects on the tour right now. You know, he’s not played loads of tennis in comparison to a lot of the young guys around his age, he’s had quite a lot of injuries and setbacks over the last few years.”

JUST IN: Nick Kyrgios angrily lashes out after losing Australian award to Barty

Despite the injury woes – most of which came in 2021 while Draper continued to struggle with a few niggles this year – Murray thought it was a good thing that the 20-year-old was getting them out of the way early and believed the current world No 42 would continue his rise next season. The 46-time title winner added: ““He’s a big guy and I think that that’s normal.

“You know, for that to happen when he was still growing and everything and adjusting to full time tennis essentially. Professional tennis is a bit different. And I think yeah, he’s had a brilliant year and I expect him to keep going higher next season.”

DON’T MISS
Federer passes torch to Nadal in fan award as Swiss’ 19-year run ends
Boris Becker eyes new plan to make money after prison release
Novak Djokovic’s Aus Open ordeal reflected in top Google searches

It wasn’t just Draper that had caught Murray’s eye this season, as the former world No 1 was still full of praise for Norrie and Evans – the current top two men in British tennis. “You know, Cam has done really well being very solid throughout the year and maintaining his ranking up near the top 10 in the world,” he continued.

“And, and then Dan, I don’t know exactly, but I think he will be pretty close to finishing as high as he’s ever finished the year before. So, yeah, all those guys have done really well this year.”

Source: Read Full Article