Alcaraz-Jannik rivalry is great, says Draper

BRITISH number one Jack Draper believes the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be crucial if tennis is to regain the spotlight shone on it during the Federer-Nadal era, writes Rachel Steinberg.

- Rachel Steinberg

Last weekend’s epic Roland Garros final - won by the Spaniard, who came from two sets down to defend his title in a French Open record five-hour, 29-minute marathon - enraptured audiences, pushing viewing figures to new heights for broadcaster Warner Bros Discovery.

Leatherhead-born Draper, the second seed at Queen’s this week and entering at a career-high world number four, acknowledges everyone in the game benefits when the sport's biggest names are playing at their captivating best.

"I think tennis is in a really good spot in a way that the depth of it, especially the top 100, is extremely strong," said Draper, who progressed to the last 16 at Queen’s with a 6-3 6-1 victory over American Jenson Brooksby on Tuesday.

"Everyone is so good (but) maybe five, ten years ago, maybe the top ten or the top 20 was a bit more stacked.