Jacob Fearnley is one of many British talents seeking to make their mark at Wimbledon in the coming weeks.
For some, an early exit may be on the cards. But for others, a strong showing could advance their career tenfold in just a few days’ time.
This Scotsman, who has already enjoyed a steady rise across the last 12 months, is certainly one star who could fall into the latter category.
He does have the tricky task of bypassing Joao Fonseca in the very first round, with Fonseca predicting how the Wimbledon crowd will react to his legion of Brazilian fans.
However, in the run-up to that match, it’s actually Jack Draper who has been one topic of Jacob Fearnley’s conversation.
Jacob Fearnley makes big claim about Jack Draper
Speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 23-year-old was quizzed about British tennis as a whole ahead of this, their home Grand Slam.
After all, there are poised to be 23 men and women competing in the main draw across the next couple of days, outlining the strength in depth this country boasts when it comes to tennis.
Honing in on Draper though, as the outstanding British number one, Fearnley admitted that all his fellow Brits hold the same opinion of him. He claimed: ‘We all look up to Jack and what he’s done, with the rise he’s had from where he was. It’s very inspiring for a guy like me.
‘I’m just trying to keep improving. Hopefully, one day I can be where Jack is but the way he goes about his business is hard to follow. He’s very professional and the level he’s playing is really high.’
Later on, he briefly previewed his match against Fonseca, stating: ‘There’s a reason why everyone talks about him. He’s earned that respect from all the players.
‘It’s going to be a difficult match, playing on Court One. It doesn’t get much better than that.’
Jack Draper faces tough start at Wimbledon
By this point, everybody should know just how tough Draper’s Wimbledon draw is.
After all, he is projected to face the player that nobody wanted in their area of the draw: Alexander Bublik.
Fresh from another grass-court title in Halle, beating Jannik Sinner on his way to the final, and having made history with his run at the French Open which included a win over Draper, this is arguably the worst time to play this mercurial 29-year-old.
Before that, it’s expected that the world number four will have to face Sebastian Baez and then former Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic.
And then, to sneak past these tricky opening three rounds will see him rewarded with Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, and likely Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
Draper has it all to do if he is to mimic Andy Murray’s Wimbledon title run.
