Jack Draper continues to impress at Queen’s, booking his place in the semi-finals.
The British number one began the tournament knowing a run to the semi-finals could secure him a top-four seeding at Wimbledon later this month.
Draper eased past Jenson Brooksby in his opening match, but faced a far tougher test in round two against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin.
Edging through in a third-set tiebreaker, Draper beat Popyrin 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 to advance to his third Queen’s Club Championships quarterfinal.
Qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time and guaranteeing himself a top-four seeding at the All England Club, Draper took down Brandon Nakashima in three sets, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
During his post-match interview Draper was asked whether he thinks the famous ‘Henman Hill’ should be renamed in his honor.
Jack Draper doesn’t think Henman Hill should be renamed, ‘for now’
The 23-year-old gave a typically modest answer when he was asked if Henman Hill should be renamed if he keeps up his current run of form.
“Draper’s Dune, but that’s sand,” joked Draper.
“No, let’s keep it Henman Hill for now.
“We have not changed it for Andy [Murray], and Andy would be next in line for that, so maybe one day I will have something, but I don’t think there’s something that goes with Draper [for the hill].”
Draper doesn’t think he quite warrants a renaming of Henman Hill just yet, but took the time to thank the crowd for their support on Andy Murray Arena.
“It means the world to me. The support I have received has been amazing. I am used to battling against the crowd, so this week is nice for that,” he said.
“To be in the semi-final here for the first time is honestly something I have wanted since I was a little kid, so it means everything to me.
“I think it definitely helps. It helps to have you guys behind me. Also, at times I have not played some great tennis, and in those moments I have just really tried to believe in myself, and I think that is where the confidence comes from, from the start of the year, and that has carried me through.
“I hope that carries on until the next round and carries me through.”
The Brit was then asked for his thoughts on the top-four seeding at Wimbledon, which will see him avoid the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz until the semi-finals.
“I keep being asked by journalists about the top four seeding. It’s like, well, I have got to get to the semis first,” said Draper.
“I mean, that’s not guaranteed. To be in that position is an incredible feeling.
“I was at Wimbledon last year and ranked 40, so to go there ranked fourth, that’s a testament to all the hard work me and my team have done, so very proud of that.”
Draper will now rest up ahead of his semi-final match with Jiri Lehecka on Saturday, June 21.
How did Henman Hill get its name?
Aorangi Terrace, better known as Henman Hill, is a banked area where fans can watch matches on a big TV screen at the side of Court 1 at Wimbledon.
The nickname ‘Henman Hill’ was born in the 1990s when fans of British star Tim Henman would gather on the hill to watch his matches.
Over the years, and particularly following Henman’s retirement in 2007, the hill has been given several other nicknames, referencing British players.
- Rusedski Ridge – Greg Rusedski
- Robson Ridge – Laura Robson
- Raducanu Ridge – Emma Raducanu
- Heather Hill – Heather Watson
- Konta Kop – Johanna Konta
- Murray Mound – Andy Murray
Unsurprisingly, few stuck, although some began using Murray Mound when Andy Murray ended the 70+ year wait for a British winner at Wimbledon.
Despite all of Murray’s success, the hill still belongs to Henman, as fans continue to use the name ‘Henman Hill’.
Appearing on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross in 2009, Henman joked that he and Murray made an agreement over the name of the hill.
“[Murray] can have all those Grand Slams he’s going to win, but I’m keeping my hill,” he said.
Only time will tell if Draper can carve out a legacy worthy of renaming the hill, but the likelihood is that Henman Hill is here to stay.
The 2025 Wimbledon tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 30.
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