British fans full of cheer as new generation emerges

LONDON — In the wake of two-time champion Andy Murray's retirement last year, host nation Britain is hungry for its next big tennis star to emerge at Wimbledon, with Jack Draper leading a new generation of homegrown men's players.

After Fred Perry's third win in 1936, British fans endured a 77-year men's singles title drought at the All England Club.

First came "Henmania", then "Murray Madness", before the Scot ended the wait with the first of his two Wimbledon triumphs in 2013.

Now, a surging new generation of British players are making their mark, with fourth seed Draper, 23, leading the pack following Murray's farewell in 2024.

Seven men, including Draper, Dan Evans, Jack Pinnington Jones and amateur Oliver Tarvet all made it into this year's second round — Britain's best tally at any Grand Slam event since 1997.

The strong showing has set the home crowd up for some exciting tennis on Thursday, with Evans due to face seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, while Draper will play Croatia's Marin Cilic.

"Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!" Chartered physiotherapist Carol Sweet, exclaimed. "Seven into the second round is amazing."

Center court erupted Wednesday as Tarvet hit a string of winners, before he was knocked out by reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz.

"It's great, you can hear the noise and how much louder it is," said engineer Cameron Maxwell, 27, as the crowd roared in support.

"As a spectator you're just more revved up for it," added accountant Guy Millward, 59.

Results, at last

Longtime British tennis fans John and Sarah Pickthorn said it was encouraging to see so many Britons finally making progress after years when they were few and far between.

"For a very long time we've been here watching Germans and Swedes, Americans and Australians, and it is very nice to see that we can produce — not just one player — Andy Murray," added John, a retired banker.

Money pumped into the sport by the Lawn Tennis Association, British tennis' governing body, was "at last starting to show results", he said.

"It gives you that extra bit of excitement when they do go through," his wife Sarah, a retired interior designer, added.

Draper has been keen to dampen expectations, although, he says, British tennis is currently "in a good spot", partly due to the influence of Murray.

"Andy has had a huge effect on a lot of the younger generation, watching his success over the years; major success on the big stage.

"It's really exciting what we're going to have in the next 10 years. It's cool to be a part of that," he said this week.

Prominent tennis figures predict big things for the well-rounded Londoner, who studied criminology, enjoys whipping up a cocktail and has even turned his hand to modeling.

"I'll be surprised if he doesn't win multiple majors," John McEnroe said last month at the French Open.

Britain's next 'superstar'

Former mixed doubles champion and brother of Andy, Jamie Murray, is even more certain.

"He is Britain's next tennis superstar. There's no ifs or buts about that."

Homegrown winners have been in short supply since Perry enjoyed three consecutive wins between 1934-36 in southwest London.

It was another six decades before Tim Henman burst onto the scene in the 1990s and provided some long-awaited buzz.

His four semifinal appearances sparked "Henmania" among British fans, but, in the era of Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Goran Ivanisevic, the title ultimately eluded him.

In 2013, Murray finally managed to exorcise Perry's ghost, a year after losing in the final to Roger Federer.

For now, though, Draper is keeping his feet on the ground.

"I'm not trying to be the next Andy Murray," he told The Times in January.

"He's one of the greatest players there ever was, and ever will be, and to put that level of pressure on myself, I just don't do it. I focus on achieving my own potential," he added.

AFP