Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Draper to carry Britain's Wimbledon dreams
The Straits Times
|June 28, 2025
For a brief two weeks every year the British public becomes hooked on tennis, desperately seeking a home player to cheer to sporting glory on the fabled lawns of Wimbledon; and this year the spotlight falls on Jack Draper.
-
LONDON -
For decades, it was a cause for hysteria if a British player survived into the second week of the singles.
Then came Tim Henman's multiple journeys to the semi-finals before Andy Murray became a national hero by ending a 77-year wait for a men's champion by winning the title in 2013. The Scot repeated the feat three years later.
Johanna Konta reached the semi-finals in 2017, as did Cameron Norrie in 2022, and Emma Raducanu's astonishing US Open triumph as a qualifier in 2021 means she is now saddled with trying to become the first British player to win the women's title since Virginia Wade in 1977.
Murray is retired and will have a statue erected in his honour at the All England Club but, right on cue, Draper has stepped into the breach and looks capable of shouldering a nation's hopes on his broad shoulders.
This story is from the June 28, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
At 80, the jeepney is still King of the Road, but for how long?
The colourful vehicle is a symbol of Filipino creativity and the country's traffic challenges. The age of EVs will be a test of its days on the road.
5 mins
October 27, 2025
The Straits Times
GROUP 3 SAUDI DERBY A NEW GATEWAY TO KENTUCKY DERBY
Points will be up for grabs to qualify for Run For The Roses
3 mins
October 27, 2025
The Straits Times
Time to relook 'many helping hands' approach and have a unified aid response
The tragic death of little Megan Khung has left an ineffable ache in the nation's heart.
1 mins
October 27, 2025
The Straits Times
Slot didn't expect 4 losses; needs to find answers fast
Their title defence had begun well but losses at Brentford, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, plus the previous weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Manchester United, have knocked Liverpool off the rails.
2 mins
October 27, 2025
The Straits Times
After Megan Khung: Family, abuse and the reckoning around child safety
The case should prompt a deeper reflection on what we could have done better and the challenges in dealing with family abuse.
6 mins
October 27, 2025
The Straits Times
Singaporean, Canadian pen pals finally meet after 43 years
The letters between Michelle Anne Ng and Sonya Clarke Casey forged a friendship that saw them share about their life experiences and secrets
5 mins
October 27, 2025
The Straits Times
Thai-Cambodian 'peace accord' is Trump-centric but may prove to be more than just optics
If there ever was any doubt over the intended audience for the signing of the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord”, the answer came shortly after Thailand’s royal palace announced the death of the Queen Mother Sirikit on the night of Oct 24.
4 mins
October 27, 2025
The Straits Times
Tan crosses $lm mark in less than two years on tour
Even as heavy rain and fog brought uncertainty to the Wistron Ladies Open in Taiwan, it did not stop Singaporean golfer Shannon Tan from reaching her latest milestone as she surpassed the $1 million mark in career earnings with a joint-44th finish on Oct 26.
4 mins
October 27, 2025
The Straits Times
Lifelong learning Effective training is a shared responsibility
We thank Mr Ives Tay for his letter “Let's see real results from lifelong learning” (Oct 7).
1 mins
October 27, 2025
The Straits Times
Trump turns on the charm - and so does Asean
US President's visit has left an indelible mark on his hosts, Malaysia and Asean
4 mins
October 27, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size