Jack Draper suffered a weird BBC interview in the Andy Murray Arena moments after the relief of reaching a home semi-final for the first time. The British No.1 claimed: “It means everything to me” after showing huge fighting spirit to beat Brandon Nakashima 6-4 5-7 6-4. The result also sees him seal a top-four seeding at Wimbledon as he will return to world No.4 in the rankings on Monday. He will be the highest-ranked British male singles player at the grass-court Grand Slam since Murray defended his second Wimbledon title in 2017.
But in his courtside interview immediately after the win, Draper was caught in an excruciating exchange with BBC interviewer Pippa Horn. The ex-pro asked if Henman Hill should now be renamed in his honour – and what it should be called. “Draper’s Dune?” laughed Draper. “But that’s sand. Nah, let’s keep it Henman Hill for now. We haven’t changed it for Andy and he would be next in line for that. So, maybe one day I will have something. But I don’t think there is something that goes with Draper.”
When Horn suggested “Draper’s Drop”, the confused British No.1 responded: “Draper’s what? Job? Draper’s Drop?” Horn replied: “Yeah, why not?” And the big left-hander said: “Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t know. It’s not that steep is it?”
Horn responded: “I think it works. Maybe Draper’s Dune then.” And Draper said: “Draper’s Dune, yeah it’s better for me.” The current world No.6 also had some tough exchanges with world No.32 Nakishima and looked in serious danger of defeat after dropping the second set.
But after his second successive three-set win, Draper said: Draper said: “It means the world to me. Honestly the support I have received this week has been amazing. Thank you. I’m used to battling against the crowd. So this week is nice for that. To be in the semi-final here for the first time is something I have wanted since I was a little kid. It means everything to me.”
Last year’s US Open semi-finalist Draper raised his game in the final set. Asked by Horn if that was down to his “newfound confidence”, he said: “Yeah, I think it definitely helps. It helps to have you guys behind me.
“At times, I have not played some great tennis and in those moments, I have tried to believe in myself. I think that is where the confidence comes from the start of the year and that has carried me through. I hope that can carry on until the next round and keep on playing better.”
A top-four seeding at Wimbledon means Draper will avoid top three Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz or Alex Zverev until the semi-finals. Asked if that was good for his confidence, he shook his head and said: “Not really to be honest. I keep getting asked by the journalists about the top-four seeding. Well, I have to got to the semi-final first.
“To be in that position is an incredible feeling. At Wimbledon last year I was ranked 40. To go there ranked fourth, as the fourth seed, is testimony to all the hard work me and my team have done. So, I am very proud of that.”