Jack Draper still has it all to do to prove he can win a Grand Slam title and Wimbledon in particular.
The Great Britain star has exited at the second round stage for the third time in succession at SW19 to leave home hopes of the title in the court of Cameron Norrie.
Draper was out of sorts for the first two sets against Marin Cilic and although he pulled one back, he ultimately came up short in a four-set defeat.
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Todd Woodbridge gives advice to Jack Draper’s coaching team
Woodbridge was on commentary for Draper’s match at Wimbledon, and he wasn’t overly impressed with one aspect of his performance.
Draper couldn’t live with the game plan executed to perfection by Cilic, and he was deservedly beaten, much to the home crowd’s dismay.
Woodbridge has some advice for the Great British player and his coaching team ahead of the US Open, sharing what he needs to do to perfect his game.
He said on BBC: “What it highlights for me today is that his team need to get working on the backhand.
“We looked at the things that Rafa has done so well, and that was the forehand, but there was a definite, it’s not a bad shot, but it needs to be better. He needs to get around the outside of the ball and get more trajectory on it; it was a little flat and inside out.
“And I think the slice has got to improve. You think about Alcaraz and Federer on grass, and even Djokovic. And his backhand slice is a bit of a problem.
“When he used it today, it spun, so it went left to right and hit the court and sat up. That allowed Cilic to go. You need to get a slice that you get through the ball, and it darts down and stays low, so your opponent is on the up and you get a bit more time.
“You look at that and say he hasn’t got through the second round again, but there is still so much growth for Draper”
Draper has work to do before the US Open
Draper looked devastated at the end of the contest, and so he should, as he simply didn’t turn up.
Cilic has reached a final at Wimbledon, but at 36-years-old and recently dropping out of the world’s top 1000, this was a winnable match for Draper.
Now, he has to refocus ahead of the US Open and having reached the last four last year, he will fancy a strong run once again.
All is not lost for Draper and at 23, he will come again when it comes to Wimbledon.
This defeat will smart for a while, however, and now it will be fascinating to see just how he responds to this defeat.
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