'Draper running with the baton passed by Murray'

Jack Draper has agelong been seen arsenic nan earthy successor to Andy Murray arsenic nan king of British tennis.

So, successful nan first awesome tourney since nan retiring Murray abdicated, it feels apt Draper has enjoyed nan champion Grand Slam tally of his career.

The 22-year-old left-hander has surged into nan US Open quarter-finals, becoming nan first British man to scope this shape since his idol Murray successful 2016.

The baton from Murray had already been passed. Now Draper is starting to tally pinch it.

"To travel successful Andy's footsteps, it's a large accomplishment for me," said world number 25 Draper, who faces Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur aliases his compatriot Jordan Thompson successful nan past 8 connected Wednesday.

"I cognize that there's still room for betterment and still room to hopefully spell further."

The mode successful which he brushed speech Czech force Tomas Machac - a talented subordinate who galore consciousness has nan expertise to beryllium classed higher - successful nan erstwhile information was an denotation of his intent.

Draper's capacity was described arsenic a "masterclass" by erstwhile British number 1 Tim Henman.

"He has been world class," added Henman, watching courtside successful his domiciled arsenic an expert for Sky Sports. "It is simply a existent connection to nan locker room."

At a US Open wherever Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz mislaid early on, and only Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner person antecedently won awesome titles, Draper has played himself into nan mix.

When Murray said a fewer months agone he thought Draper could get "right to nan apical of nan game", cipher thought it was outlandish.

The Scot's appraisal came moments aft Draper won his first ATP title and became nan youngest British men's number 1 since him successful 2009.

"Jack, I think, has bigger goals to aspire to than being British number one," said three-time awesome champion Murray, who reached nan apical of nan world rankings successful 2016.

In response, Draper agreed. He had not thought astir being his nation's champion subordinate because he was solely focused connected becoming nan world's starring man.

Draper oozes assurance without immoderate hint of arrogance. He besides has nan devices to problem immoderate opponent.

Possessing a dense first service which rocks opponents, nan expertise to deed explosively pinch his forehand and nan willingness to adhd successful assortment erstwhile necessary, he has confidently breezed done nan US Open draw.

Playing pinch calmness and clarity, Draper has not dropped a group and is demonstrating an assurance which has forced opponents into submission.

That composed demeanour remained aft he clinched triumph against Machac, responding pinch simply a shingle of nan racquet and a steely glare towards his team.

"Anybody who is pursuing world tennis would work together that Jack has sewage immense imaginable and a subordinate that tin surely connected his time execute pinch nan champion players of nan world," his coach James Trotman told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He's shown that connected galore occasions, but to travel into nan Grand Slam and to beryllium successful nan quarters here, his longest tally truthful far, I deliberation is an unthinkable accomplishment and let's effort and support it rolling."

On court, he has been businesslike and utterly focused.

Off nan tribunal it has been nan aforesaid mindset.

New York mightiness beryllium known arsenic The City That Never Sleeps, possessing a buzz and an power which tin lead to temptation.

But Draper's accrued professionalism intends he has been sticking to takeaway nutrient deliveries and watching movies successful his Manhattan hotel., external

"I emotion playing connected nan large shape but I person had to power my emotions," said Draper, who has besides bounced backmost from facing "difficult" disapproval after a arguable incident successful Cincinnati past month.

"When you get these moments wherever your power drops, particularly successful a champion of 5 sets which is going to happen, trying to enactment coming and trying to not spell distant from what you're trying to achieve."

Many successful British tennis circles person known for a agelong clip that Draper had nan talent to gain a spot among nan world's best.

Glimpses of his earthy expertise were evident erstwhile he reached nan Wimbledon boys' last successful 2018.

Taking a group disconnected Novak Djokovic connected his Wimbledon debut arsenic a teen successful 2021 made moreover much group return notice.

Then nan 2022 and 2023 seasons were blighted by nan beingness issues which hampered Draper's progress.

On nan backmost of a bid of injuries and mid-match retirements, a enarthrosis problem ended his French Open run past twelvemonth - starring to Draper lamenting being "the feline who's injured a lot".

It besides ruled him retired of nan full British grass-court season.

"My assemblage was conscionable made of solid astatine that point," reflected Draper, who was classed 123rd astatine past year's US Open.

Now fresh and injury-free, he is enjoying nan fruits of difficult labour building up his body.

Starting to activity again pinch fittingness trainer Steve Kotze, who Draper describes arsenic "one of nan champion successful nan world", has been a catalyst.

Physio Will Herbert, nan man known arsenic "The Mechanic" by Emma Raducanu for his activity during her fairytale tally to nan 2021 US Open title, is different cardinal personnel of Draper's team.

Becoming much robust has to led to that first ATP title successful Stuttgart, which he followed by beating Alcaraz astatine Queen's, earlier this breakout tally successful New York.

"He's a awesome quality being, he's had his reliable times, was making advancement and past thing would hap - that was reliable to return for him," said British Davis Cup skipper Leon Smith.

"He's very eager and perfectly loves nan sport.

"Now for nan first clip he's had a play of clip where's been capable to person a tally astatine it."

As good arsenic thriving nether nan spotlight connected court, Draper is wholly astatine easiness pinch attraction disconnected it.

Glamorous photoshoots pinch stylish manner magazines - teaming up pinch chap British subordinate Katie Boulter for Tatler past twelvemonth earlier precocious appearing successful Vogue connected his ain - has shown his entreaty to wider markets.

"I rather bask being successful beforehand of nan camera, if I'm looking good, that is," Draper quipped to Vogue.

Another denotation of his prima entreaty was nan show of Anna Wintour, nan Vogue editor-in-chief, sat pinch his support squad during nan Machac masterclass.

Despite attracting nan glitz and glamour, location is wherever nan bosom is for Draper - who precocious moved retired of shared digs pinch chap British subordinate Paul Jubb and into his ain spot successful south-west London.

He precocious described his dream vacation was "home", external because he is hardly ever there.

Describing himself arsenic a "big family guy", nan support of his nearest and dearest has been crucial.

Draper's mother Nicky - who nan subordinate credits arsenic 1 of his biggest influences - is simply a coach and erstwhile inferior champion, while begetter Roger was nan main executive of nan Lawn Tennis Association.

His relative Ben, a erstwhile assemblage subordinate successful nan United States, is his agent.

While he is described arsenic a "tennis keeno" by erstwhile British subordinate Laura Robson, Draper is besides a man pinch varied interests disconnected nan court.

As good arsenic nan fashion, he is simply a shot instrumentality who follows Manchester United and besides loves listening to Oasis.

Bagging a summons for nan Gallagher brothers' reunion astatine Wembley Stadium has been discussed by Draper while successful New York - but, pinch tennis his sole attraction arsenic Britain battled to get tickets, he will person to rotation pinch it.