By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennisnow | Thursday, March 13, 2025
Photo Credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photos
Southwest of London is the center of the sports universe for two weeks every summer.
While Wimbledon is the most prestigious tennis tour of the world, some European nations transcend the Culture of the UK tennis, says British no. 1 Jack draper.
Speaking to the media in Indian Wells after his 7-5 6-4 victory over 2022 BNP Paribas Open Champion Taylor Fritz, Draper said tennis is most beloved by other European nations.
“I think England, we definitely have Wimbledon. That is, you know, one of the biggest sporting events in the world,” Draper said. “I would say for three weeks of the year we are massively in tennis. I think we were extremely lucky to have Andy Murray and other players that really, you know, showed me the way and inspired me to be a high player in myself.
“I would say that our current culture for tennis is not great in the UK.”
Last September, Draper became the fourth British man in the history of the open era who reached the US Open semifinal.
23-year-old Draper said he hopes his generation of British growing players, including former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, can help grow home game.
“Of course other tennis nations, you know, I think you have it better with Italy and Spain and France,” Draper said. “They love tennis much more than we as a nation, but I think, you know, hopefully with what will come with the grass and hopefully players like me and the other top players who come through that we can really put on a good show and inspire a lot of people to play.”
