Jack Draper, the British number one and fourth seed, was eliminated in the second round at Wimbledon by Marin Cilic, marking another Wimbledon disappointment for the young player. John McEnroe has criticised Draper’s defensive playing style, warning that it may not be sustainable against top competition, especially on grass courts.
Jack Draper’s Unexpected Defeat at Wimbledon
Jack Draper’s Wimbledon campaign ended unexpectedly when he lost to 36-year-old Marin Cilic in a four-set match, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. Draper, ranked fourth in the world and seeded as the tournament‘s fourth seed, was widely expected to advance further. However, Cilic, ranked 83rd and a former Grand Slam finalist, demonstrated his experience and resilience to overcome the young Briton. This loss means Draper has yet to progress beyond the second round in any of his four Wimbledon appearances to date.
John McEnroe Critiques Draper’s Playing Strategy After the Loss
After the result, tennis legend John McEnroe offered a detailed critique of Draper’s approach to the game during a BBC interview. McEnroe noted Draper’s tendency to play far behind the baseline, questioning whether this defensive posture was suitable, particularly on faster surfaces like grass and hard courts. He highlighted concerns about Draper’s court coverage and believed this strategy could wear him down physically and mentally over time.
McEnroe explained,
“He has done great. He has got to number four in the world. If I was looking from a distance at Jack I was like why is he standing so far back all the time? Especially on hard courts, even on clay. Is he quick enough to cover? Is that what he wants to do? To wear people down that way?”
The former player urged Draper to take a more aggressive approach, particularly at Wimbledon, where cutting off angles and approaching the net could prove advantageous. McEnroe compared Draper’s style unfavourably with that of American Taylor Fritz, who stands close to the baseline even when returning powerful serves, suggesting Draper could benefit from adapting similarly.
He emphasized Draper’s physical strengths and technical skills, encouraging him to utilize his left-handed serve more strategically by serving and volleying more often.
“I also think he is a big, strapping, fit guy. He has skills at net. He has this lefty serve, get into net more. Serve and volley more often,”
McEnroe said.
McEnroe acknowledged that this advice might sound old-fashioned but argued it could be genuinely effective, even if Draper incorporated this tactic only a third of the time instead of less frequently. He also cited Daniil Medvedev’s recent struggles with a defensive style that requires extensive running and expressed caution that Draper might face similar issues if he does not adjust his tactics.
“He has to be aware of that. He has enough overall ability but he has to mix it up more and accept that and actually embrace it. I believe he can and indeed he will,”
McEnroe concluded.
Observations of Draper’s Performance Leading to the Upset
From the outset of the match against Cilic, Draper appeared under pressure to deliver a strong performance in front of his home crowd, but he struggled to meet expectations in a contest lasting nearly two hours and 40 minutes. McEnroe observed Draper seemed tense, possibly due to high hopes both from fans and himself.
“It looked to me early on, I was not watching up close and personal, but Jack looked tight,”
said McEnroe.
“I am not surprised he was tight because a lot of expectations, including from myself, that he could actually challenge and contend for the first time. Maybe he thought he could actually do it. That was putting pressure on himself, obviously. And Cilic came to play, he has got a big game!”
Despite Cilic’s age and the physical challenges he has faced over his career, McEnroe noted the Croatian remained surprisingly effective and showed signs of determination reminiscent of his peak years.
“Marin is 36 now but his body you have to think is like 40 because he’s had issues. But he didn’t look that way.”
One factor that drew McEnroe’s attention was Draper’s court coverage, which seemed to deteriorate as the match progressed, contrasting with the stamina and mobility displayed by other players on tour. McEnroe also pointed out that inspiration can come from players like Novak Djokovic, whose success motivates competitors like Cilic to raise their game.
“But you look at Novak for example and it has to inspire guys like Cilic to think I’m not Novak Djokovic but maybe I can get back to where I was. I am trying to remember the last time I saw Cilic play this well. It’s been a while, let me tell you that.”
Background on Marin Cilic’s Career and Wimbledon History
Marin Cilic has a respected career highlighted by winning the 2014 US Open and reaching Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the Australian Open in 2017 and 2018 respectively, where he was defeated by Roger Federer on both occasions. His victory against Draper marks a notable comeback at Wimbledon after missing the previous three editions.
The experienced Croatian’s performance demonstrates the potential for veteran players to disrupt emerging talents, especially on grass courts where strategic poise and experience often play critical roles.
Implications for Jack Draper’s Future on Tour
Draper’s defeat raises questions about his long-term strategy and adaptability on tour. With McEnroe’s pointed critiques, Draper’s coaching team may need to reassess the current game plan, especially regarding his positioning and net play. If Draper can successfully integrate more aggressive tactics and reduce his reliance on defensive baseline play, he could improve his chances in future major tournaments.
As Draper looks ahead to hard court and clay events, observing how he adjusts his style will be crucial. His next steps will determine if he can fulfill the potential that brought him to a world ranking as high as number four, or if his current approach will continue to limit his success at the highest levels, particularly at Wimbledon.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is John McEnroe a millionaire?
A. The 66-year-old’s earnings from the BBC make up only a small part of his large fortune. Over about fifty years in the spotlight, McEnroe has gathered a net worth estimated at around £90 million.
Q. How rich is John McEnroe?
A. His income recently saw a small drop compared to last year’s £205,000. At 66, his BBC salary is just a part of his large wealth. Over 50 years, McEnroe has gained an estimated net worth of about £90 million.