LONDON — Britain's rising tennis star Jack Draper saw his Wimbledon hopes dashed in a hard-fought second-round match against former champion Marin Cilic, succumbing in four sets (6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3) on Court No. 1. The 22-year-old, widely regarded as Britain's brightest prospect in men's tennis, struggled to contain Cilic's powerful serve and baseline dominance despite a spirited third-set comeback.
The defeat marks another early exit for British players in the men's singles draw, with Draper being the last home hope remaining after Andy Murray's withdrawal due to injury. Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion and 2017 Wimbledon finalist, showcased his grass-court pedigree with 18 aces and 45 winners, capitalizing on Draper's inconsistent first-serve percentage (58%). "Marin was just too good today," Draper admitted in his post-match press conference. "When he's serving like that, it's incredibly difficult to get any rhythm."
A Promising Start Derailed
Draper entered the tournament with high expectations following his first ATP title in Stuttgart last month and a career-high ranking of No. 28. The left-hander demonstrated flashes of brilliance, particularly in the third set where he broke Cilic twice with aggressive returning. However, the Croatian's experience proved decisive in key moments, converting 4 of 8 break points compared to Draper's 2 of 5.
Statistics highlighted the gap in big-match composure:
- Cilic won 76% of first-serve points (Draper: 63%)
- The veteran committed just 28 unforced errors (Draper: 42)
- Draper's second-serve win percentage languished at 44%
Physical Concerns Resurface
The match reignited concerns about Draper's fitness, with the British No. 1 requiring a medical timeout for a shoulder issue in the fourth set. This follows an injury-plagued 2023 season where he missed four months with shoulder problems. Sports physician Dr. Emma Ross noted: "Draper's service motion places unusual stress on his left shoulder. Without technical adjustments, this could become a chronic issue."
Cilic, now 35 and ranked No. 37 after his own injury struggles, praised his opponent's potential: "Jack has all the tools to win Slams. Power, variety, great movement. If he stays healthy, he'll be contending here for many years." The Croatian advances to face ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur in what promises to be a compelling third-round encounter.
British Tennis in Transition
With Murray likely playing his final Wimbledon and no other British men reaching the second round, attention turns to Draper's development. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman observed: "This is part of Jack's learning curve. The difference between winning ATP 250 events and Grand Slams is monumental. He needs these tough losses to grow."
Key areas for improvement identified by analysts:
- Consistency on second serve (currently ranked 78th on tour)
- Mental resilience in fifth sets (1-3 career record)
- Managing physical workload (withdrawn from 8 tournaments since 2022)
Looking Ahead
Draper remains optimistic about his season, targeting a top-20 ranking by year's end. His next scheduled appearance is at the ATP 500 event in Washington ahead of the US Open. "This hurts, but I'll learn from it," he stated. "My game's improving every month. I know what I need to work on."
For Cilic, this victory marks his deepest Wimbledon run since reaching the semifinals in 2022. The veteran appears rejuvenated after missing most of 2023 with knee surgery. "At this stage of my career, every Slam win is special," he said. "I still believe I have the level to compete with the best."
The match drew a packed crowd on Court No. 1, with fans divided in their support. While Draper received louder cheers during changeovers, Cilic earned respect for his sportsmanship, including applauding several of Draper's winners. Tournament director Jamie Baker noted: "This was exactly the kind of high-quality, dramatic match we want to see in the first week. Both players elevated their games when it mattered."
As the British contingent turns its attention to the doubles events, Draper's exit raises familiar questions about the nation's ability to produce consistent Grand Slam contenders. With Emma Raducanu also eliminated in the women's draw, this marks the first time since 2013 that no British player reached the third round in either singles competition.
Tennis analyst Catherine Whitaker summarized: "Draper's progress this season has been impressive, but today showed the gap between being a good tour player and a genuine Slam contender. The next 12 months will be crucial in his development."
For now, British fans must wait another year for home success at SW19. As the tournament moves into its second week, all eyes turn to whether Cilic can roll back the years and make another deep run, while Draper begins preparations for the North American hardcourt swing with valuable lessons learned.