Britain's No 1 aims to make Wimbledon his stage

LEATHERHEAD STAR DRAPER FEELING CONFIDENT AFTER FIRST ROUND WIN

- By ELEANOR CROOKS PA Sport Correspondent

LEATHERHEAD’S Jack Draper has set out his intention to make Wimbledon his stage.

The 23-year-old is one of 23 British players in the singles competition, the most since 1984, but there is no doubt he represents the best hope of a first home champion since Andy Murray nine years ago.

Having watched the Scot win his two titles in 2013 and 2016 as a promising junior, Draper believes he is now ready to show the British public why he is ranked world number four and regarded as one of the trophy favourites.

“I definitely feel like a very different person, that’s for sure,” said Draper, who last year went into the tournament ranked 28th.

“I feel a lot more confident, a lot more calm in myself. I feel like I've got great people around me who have been with me every year (going) up the rankings.

“Seeing yourself play in some big matches and in big environments, that helps more and more when you're coming into big places like Wimbledon. I think the home support that I’m going to have and people right behind me is going to be amazing.