Wimbledon: British starlet Jack Draper gives Novak Djokovic a scare but falls short on day one

Jack Draper was cheered on to Centre Court and roared off it. In between he caused sufficient discomfort to arguably the greatest male player in history that it seems a rather safe bet that he’ll be back.

Not many teenage wild cards are able to work Novak Djokovic like he did, and fewer still succeed in dropping him on his backside across the course of an entire set.

But what a stirring performance on the opening day of Wimbledon from this talented 19-year-old. It ultimately ended in defeat for the lad from Surrey, with sets two, three and four being won by the 19-time Slam champion for the loss of five games.

And yet it was the first, won 6-4 in 37 minutes, that will lock Draper in the memory and reinforce the idea that he is the best of the emerging British players. 

Jack Draper took a shock lead against top seed Novak Djokovic on day one at Wimbledon

Djokovic struggled to retain his footing and balance during a frenetic opening set

The top seed later stormed back into the contest but praised Draper for his resilience

He brought a big serve, a devil of a two-handed backhand and enough belligerence in the face of break points that he can be hyped with some confidence.

Even Djokovic clapped him off the court before noting that the world No 253 only came on to his radar in the past fortnight owing to his run to the quarter-final at Queen’s. He was previously best known as the son of the former LTA chief Roger Draper, but that is a status that requires updating.

‘He deserves a round of applause,’ said Djokovic. ‘I hadn’t seen him play too much but I think he has done extremely well, carried himself well, backed himself. He deserves credit for that and I wish him all the best.’

To Djokovic, Draper was the walkover that became a stone in the shoe. Not much more than that, of course, and his gear changes between the first and second set was quite predictable, but it was a challenge that needed a bit of beating nonetheless. 

A packed centre court roared on the English youngster and created a cauldron of noise

The 34-year-old will now move on in his quest to win a 20th Slam to match Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and as the five-time champion here he is a heavy favourite to defend the title he won in 2019.

In the first game of this one there were warning signs of any strife. He held to love in under two minutes and then quickly moved to break point at 30-40 in the next. Welcome to Centre Court, and all that.

Draper was getting a few roars in patriotic pity, and then a few more of greater substance when he escaped for 1-1, but there was no whiff of what was about to unfold in the very next game. 

That was when his bigger shots, of which he has plenty, started to fire, particularly via his double-handed backhand.

It was one such winner across court at 15-30 that moved him to two break points and when Djokovic netted the place went berserk.

Even then it was expected to be short-lived and on multiple occasions the music seemed set to stop. As the set advanced to 3-2, Draper faced two further break points, and yet he did not wilt. 

Djokovic soon battled back, winning the second and third sets on the first day of Wimbledon

Draper saved one with a forehand winner off a short ball and Djokovic slipped a second time on the latter, before Draper closed. The Serbian was gesturing about the surface to his corner and the teenager had wind in his sails.

Every time Djokovic threatened, Draper somehow held him off. That was most stirringly shown at 4-3 when Djokovic advanced to 0-40, and then to advantage after Draper had clawed his way back in. That last of four break points drew quite a response – back-to-back aces and a hold.

After 34 minutes, he was serving for the set. He moved to 40-15 and after another strong serve, Djokovic returned long. There was a delay and confusion and silence but eventually it was called out and Draper had the set. 

Djokovic had failed to take any of seven break points, had made nine unforced errors and only six winners, but really it was about the younger kid. With 11 winners and a serve occasionally topping 126mph he was playing the match of his life.

The defending champions looked to the Wimbledon skies after coming back to avoid defeat

Of course reality bit hard. He was broken with a double fault for 2-0 early in the second and again for 5-1. 

Djokovic sauntered his way to 6-1 but he at least knew he was in with a player. That much was shown with his huge fist pump when he broke for 2-1 at the start of the third. Draper had his respect.

And quite right. It wasn’t a case that Draper’s level dropped significantly – he only made two unforced errors in that second set – but more that Djokovic is equipped to deal far bigger challenges. 

Draper’s game did fade through the third with a second break at 4-2 and Djokovic closed for 6-2 with an ace.

The serial champion broke for 2-1 in the fourth, but even then there was life in the Brit.

In the first point of the next game, he went toe to toe in a lengthy rally and worked the old master off the court, but isolated wins were becoming fewer and further between. Djokovic broke again for 4-1 and around the two-hour mark the match was done.

Djokovic will be back on this court imminently; Draper will get another go soon enough.