Jack Draper is into the US Open quarter-finals, a career-best run at a Grand Slam, having overcome Tomas Machac in straight sets.
The British number one, who has soared to prominence over the last year or two whilst Andy Murray has declined, is now widely seen as the future of tennis in his country following the absence of such a great.
Impossibly large shoes to fill, it’s poetic that the 22-year-old is enjoying his best-ever run at the very same major where the legendary Scotsman first shot to fame, winning the US Open in 2012.
Jack Draper, along with many other British tennis stars, owes so much to Murray for what he did for the sport.
And so, upon winning just yesterday, he took no time at all to send a message to his compatriot.
Jack Draper sends message to Andy Murray
The two share a really heartwarming relationship which has already been exhibited in recent years through their shared exploits both on the tour and with the Davis Cup.
This even led to Murray being asked if he would want to coach Draper, ushering out an interesting response.
The mutual respect is there for all to see, and that was abundantly clear in New York yesterday with what the latter said.
Conducting his on-court interview after Machac had departed, Draper began: ‘Shout out to Andy [Murray], what an unbelievable career the guy has had. Just an icon of the game. What an unbelievable guy.’
He then detailed what he is already missing about Murray, who retired after the summer Olympics: ‘I missed being next to him in the changing room and all his stinky shoes and stinky clothes. But Andy is a legend and if I have half the career he has had I will be a lucky man.’
Jack Draper could go all the way at the US Open
With yesterday’s win, and with results having gone his way elsewhere, Draper is in a fine position to potentially even go all the way at the US Open this year.
However, if he is to enjoy such success, there is still a starring cast of opponents that he would have to bypass.
First up will be Alex De Minaur, after the Australian overcame his compatriot Jordan Thompson yesterday as well.
This is a match-up that should favour the Briton, with the likelihood being that his serve will break down far less than the world number ten’s.
Then, things get no easier in the semi-final, where he will face the winner of Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner.
It’s widely expected that the winner of this half of the draw will stand the best chance of claiming the title, and if Draper was to lift the revered silverware, he was going to have to overcome at least one or two of the best players in the world.
His left-handedness and lethal serve make him a true threat to any opponent, with the fast-paced conditions favouring him too.
There’s no reason why, buoyed by the spirit of Murray, he cannot go all the way.
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