Leader of the pack Draper embraces chance to head British hopes

Jack Draper has vowed to embrace being the new leader and figurehead of British tennis as he begins his Wimbledon campaign as a top contender for the championship.

- Tumaini Carayol

Draper will face Sebastian Baez of Argentina in his first-round match tomorrow, a long-awaited homecoming for the 23-year-old after a remarkable rise in the past year.

Only a few years ago he sought out advice from Andy Murray and other top British players as he tried to understand how he could fulfil his potential. The fourth seed is now the point of reference for all other British players and many have asked him for his thoughts on their own journeys.

"It's very nice when people reach out," Draper said. "I think within British tennis, especially, people know the work I've been through, the adversity I've gone through with injuries, the type of person I am where I'm always wanting to progress. I'm always wanting to understand how I can be better as a player."