As Wimbledon approaches, British tennis star Dan Evans has expressed strong confidence ahead of his upcoming match against America’s Tommy Paul at the Eastbourne Open. The Tommy Paul Wimbledon Clash is drawing attention as Evans weighs in on the prospects for British players in this year’s tournament, while questions loom over Emma Raducanu’s form and fitness.
Dan Evans is optimistic about Britain’s chances on the ATP circuit, especially with the rising star Jack Draper climbing the ranks, but he also recognizes the challenges ahead. Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu’s campaign to end Britain’s long drought in women’s Wimbledon titles faces ongoing hurdles due to injury and coaching changes.
Evans Shares Optimism About British Men’s Prospects at Wimbledon
Speaking during a BBC 5 Live Sport podcast, Dan Evans highlighted Jack Draper’s impressive ascent this season as a beacon of hope for British tennis fans. Draper broke into the ATP Top 10 after claiming his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells and has continued to climb into the top five. Evans praised Draper’s potential to win Wimbledon, noting the historic difficulty of achieving such a feat for British players.
“I think he’s…like you just said, winning Wimbledon is, you know, it took 77 years. Jack Draper has the ability to win Wimbledon. There’s no doubt about that.”
—Dan Evans, British ATP Player
Evans acknowledged the enormity of the task Draper faces but emphasized that among British men, Draper has the strongest chance to capture the prestigious title. He pointed out the rarity of British champions at SW19 in recent years, with Andy Murray being the last to win in 2013 and the legendary Fred Perry achieving a three-peat in the 1930s.
“Will he do it? It’s an impossible task that at the minute. But he has, you know, the biggest chance, out of any of the Brits, right now obviously.”
—Dan Evans, British ATP Player
Raducanu’s Wimbledon Chances Tempered by Injury and Coaching Changes
On the women’s side, Raducanu has attracted attention for her potential to bring back Wimbledon glory for Britain. Despite some improvement this season and moments of brilliance on grass courts, her path has been complicated by injuries and fluctuating coaching support.
Raducanu’s rise in tennis began spectacularly with her historic 2021 US Open win, where she became the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title without dropping a set, defeating Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in the final. However, recurring wrist and ankle injuries have hampered her momentum since that breakthrough.
After a disrupted 2023 season caused by ankle surgery and wrist issues, Raducanu’s 2025 campaign has been a mixed bag. A persistent back injury sidelined her from the Berlin Open, but she remains active and competitive, currently reaching the Round of 16 at the Eastbourne Open where she faces Maya Joint.
Dan Evans expressed hope for Raducanu’s future success while recognizing the uphill battle she faces in winning Wimbledon, noting her progress but cautioning about the challenges ahead.
“I can see Emma maybe winning it. I think she’s starting to get there on the grass today. Clinical, in the end. Next six-seven years I think the Brits, the British public are going to get put through the…through it all again. Like Tiger Tim did as they say.”
—Dan Evans, British ATP Player
Raducanu remains Britain’s WTA No. 5 and the nation’s top female player. The last British woman to claim the Wimbledon singles title was Virginia Wade in 1977, underscoring the magnitude of Raducanu’s challenge to emulate that success.
Raducanu Highlights Coaching Stability as Key to Progress
Raducanu’s journey this year has involved multiple coaching changes, reflecting her efforts to find the right guidance to reach consistent form. At the Eastbourne Open on June 24, she staged a comeback from a set down to defeat Ann Li 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, showcasing her grass-court skills and emotional resilience.
After the victory, Raducanu credited her coaching team for the improvements she is making. She acknowledged the support provided by head coach Fran Jones and assistant coach Mark Petchey during her win, emphasizing the positive changes under Petchey’s guidance.
“It’s working really well. I had head coach Fran Jones and assistant coach Mark Petchey out there today but it was really nice to have a lot of support. It’s been going well with Mark and I’m looking forward to playing tomorrow and looking forward to Wimbledon as well.”
—Emma Raducanu, British Tennis Player
Petchey, who previously helped Andy Murray enter the Top 50, rejoined Raducanu in March 2025, marking at least her eighth coaching relationship since turning professional. Her other coaches have included notable names like Nigel Sears, Torben Beltz, Vladimir Platenik, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, Nick Cavaday, and Andrew Richardson. This revolving door of coaches speaks to her ongoing search for stability to aid her performance.
British Tennis Enters a Pivotal Summer as Wimbledon Nears
With Wimbledon just days away at London’s famed SW19, the excitement around British players is reaching a fever pitch. Dan Evans’ upcoming contest against Tommy Paul is under the spotlight as an indicator of Britain’s competitiveness on the ATP Tour, while Jack Draper’s steadily rising form adds further optimism.
Emma Raducanu’s presence remains significant, even if her current form wrestles with injuries and coaching adjustments. Whether she can recapture the dominant form of her 2021 breakthrough to win at Wimbledon remains uncertain but not impossible, as Evans’ remarks reflect both hope and realism.
This Wimbledon season may not only mark a crucial moment for established names like Evans and Raducanu but also signal a breakthrough for younger Brits like Draper to reclaim Britain’s historic legacy on the tennis world’s biggest stage.