JACK DRAPER ADMITS he needs to overhaul his grass-court game after the British fourth seed suffered a shock Wimbledon exit as former finalist Marin Cilic rolled back the years to reach the third round.
Cilic, the Croatian world number 83, blasted 53 winners in a 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory that stunned the partisan British fans on Court One on Thursday.
Draper is the new figurehead of British tennis after taking on a role filled for a generation by the now-retired former Wimbledon winner Andy Murray.
But the 23-year-old has a poor record at his home Grand Slam.
He is yet to make it past the second round in four appearances at the grass-court tournament.
“It’s probably one of my toughest losses. Pretty frustrated and upset. It hurts badly,” Draper said.
“I’ve been disappointed with my game on grass this year. I felt great on clay and hard courts but as soon as I came on grass I felt a big difference.
“It highlighted a lot of weaknesses in my game, especially against a player as good as him on grass. I can take a lot of lessons from it.”
Marin Cilic shakes hands with Jack Draper after eliminating him from Wimbledon. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Draper is the latest highly-ranked star to endure a surprise exit from Wimbledon this year, with German men’s third seed Alexander Zverev and four of the top five women’s seeds all eliminated.
Draper made his breakthrough last season with a run to the US Open semi-finals, yet he has failed to make the last eight at any of this year’s three Grand Slams.
“It makes me think that Andy Murray’s achievement of winning here twice is just unbelievable,” Draper said.
“Obviously you guys mention the pressure all the time but the main reason is I wasn’t good enough today.
“Even though I’ve had an amazing progression in the last 12 months, this shows the work I need to do. I thought I was further ahead than I am.”
In contrast to Draper’s woes in south-west London, Cilic has an impressive record at Wimbledon, finishing as runner-up in 2017, when he lost in the final against Roger Federer.
The former world number three has not played at the All England Club since 2021 and has slipped down the rankings after battling a knee injury that required surgery.
“My emotions are just incredible. Where I was two years ago, I can’t even describe. It has been a long journey but I never lost any faith,” Cilic said.
“It was a long and testing period, plus a huge challenge for me in this part of my career to come back and play at this level.
“To play in front of this crowd is incredible. I’m just feeling great and hoping I can continue to play well.”
Cilic has reached three Grand Slam finals, winning his sole major title at the 2014 US Open and losing to Federer at Wimbledon in 2017 and the Australian Open in 2018.
Now 36, the big-serving Cilic is firmly in the twilight of his career.
He had lost in the opening round at the Australian and French Opens this year, but his superb display against Draper underlined his enduring quality on grass.
He returned to the top 100 by winning the second-tier Challenger event in Nottingham last month.
Dedicating the win to his children, Cilic added: “They are one of the reasons that I kept such a great passion for this sport.
“Also always running after them keeps me in great shape! I’m so pleased they are here supporting me.”
Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, swept into the third round as the world number one thrashed Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.
While several of Wimbledon’s top male stars have suffered shock exits, including third seed Alexander Zverev and world number four Jack Draper, there has been no hint of an upset in Sinner’s opening two matches.
The 23-year-old has dropped just 12 games in demolishing Vukic and Luca Nardi to make the last 32 at the All England Club.
After blowing a two-set lead and three match-points in his agonising French Open final defeat on clay against Carlos Alcaraz in June, Sinner is on a mission to make amends on grass in London.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
The three-time Grand Slam champion has never been past the Wimbledon semi-finals in four previous visits.
But the Italian is back in the groove and is on course for a blockbuster clash with world number two Alcaraz in the final on July 13.
The reigning US Open and Australian Open champion next faces another Spaniard Pedro Martinez on Saturday.
Earlier, Novak Djokovic helped himself to a 99 in the Wimbledon sunshine as Dan Evans melted away.
Djokovic, the seven-time champion, is now just one short of a century of match wins in SW19 after a 6-3 6-2 6-0 win of ominous efficiency.
Evans was tasked with being this year’s plucky Brit to face the Serbian on Centre Court, reprising a role previously played by Jacob Fearnley, Jack Draper, Kyle Edmund and James Ward.
It was by no means a flaky performance from the 35-year-old, but he still went the same way as all the others.
“I knew it was going to be a special atmosphere on the court today, a Brit in Britain is never easy to face,” said Djokovic.
“He’s a good quality player that possesses a lot of talent. Sometimes you have these kind of days where everything goes your way.”
Evans had won their only previous career meeting, in Monte Carlo four years ago.
This time he was playing with house money, having arrived at Wimbledon as a wild card with a ranking now down at 154.
But Djokovic quickly upped the ante, with Evans having to save nine break points in the first set before succumbing to the 10th to trail 5-3.
It was relentless from the 38-year-old, who held to love with an ace to clinch a first set in which he dropped just three points on his own serve.
If that set was impressive, the second was almost impeccable. Djokovic hit 12 winners, made just one unforced error, won every point on his first serve and gave Evans only two on his second.
Djokovic, who openly admits this year’s Championships is his best chance of winning a record 25th grand slam title, would not take his foot off Evans’ throat, completing victory in just an hour and 47 minutes.
Five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, Iga Swiatek survived a scare as the five-time Grand Slam champion fought back for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win against American world number 208 Caty McNally on Thursday.
Polish eighth seed Swiatek was in danger of becoming the latest star to crash out of the grass-court Grand Slam after losing the first set on Centre Court.
Five of the top 10 seeds have already been eliminated from the women’s singles draw.
But the 24-year-old dug deep to win the final two sets as she moved into the third round.
Despite being a former junior champion at Wimbledon, Swiatek has struggled on grass in her professional career, with none of her 22 WTA titles coming on the surface.
The former world number one, who has won the French Open on clay four times, has never been past the quarter-finals in five previous visits to the All England Club.
Swiatek said she “showed there is hope” for her on grass after reaching the Bad Homburg Open final in the build-up to Wimbledon.
Beaten in the Australian and French Open semi-finals this year, Swiatek can still dream of making it to the Wimbledon final for the first time.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova moved into the third round with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win over American world number 67 Caroline Dolehide on Thursday.
The Czech 17th seed took one hour and 51 minutes to grind out another hard-fought victory to keep her title defence alive.
Krejcikova had powered back from a set down to beat Philippines star Alexandra Eala in the first round on Tuesday.
“Definitely a huge relief,” Krejcikova said. “It was tough, really up and down, so many points turning one way and the other.
“I wasn’t feeling that well but I was fighting for every ball. I’m really happy I won the third set.”
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
The two-time Grand Slam champion has endured a difficult time since defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the final last year.
The 29-year-old was out of action until May after suffering a back injury and lost in the second round of the recent French Open.
Krejcikova pulled out of last week’s Eastbourne Open before the quarter-finals with a thigh problem and has played just eight matches this year.
But Krejcikova is relishing being back on the hallowed turf of the All England Club.
“Definitely a very special tournament for me,” she said.
“The last six to eight months were really difficult. I really appreciate this. I’m happy and grateful to be here playing matches and feeing good and healthy.”
The Czech was broken in the fourth game of the first set, but responded emphatically.
She won four consecutive games to regain control and served out the set.
Krejcikova wobbled in the second set, dropping serve in the sixth game as Dolehide levelled the match.
But the Czech steadied her nerve in the deciding set and landed the decisive break for a 4-2 lead before serving out the win.
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Marin Cilic rolls back the years to stun British 4th seed Draper at Wimbledon
LAST UPDATE | 3 Jul
JACK DRAPER ADMITS he needs to overhaul his grass-court game after the British fourth seed suffered a shock Wimbledon exit as former finalist Marin Cilic rolled back the years to reach the third round.
Cilic, the Croatian world number 83, blasted 53 winners in a 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory that stunned the partisan British fans on Court One on Thursday.
Draper is the new figurehead of British tennis after taking on a role filled for a generation by the now-retired former Wimbledon winner Andy Murray.
But the 23-year-old has a poor record at his home Grand Slam.
He is yet to make it past the second round in four appearances at the grass-court tournament.
“It’s probably one of my toughest losses. Pretty frustrated and upset. It hurts badly,” Draper said.
“I’ve been disappointed with my game on grass this year. I felt great on clay and hard courts but as soon as I came on grass I felt a big difference.
“It highlighted a lot of weaknesses in my game, especially against a player as good as him on grass. I can take a lot of lessons from it.”
Draper is the latest highly-ranked star to endure a surprise exit from Wimbledon this year, with German men’s third seed Alexander Zverev and four of the top five women’s seeds all eliminated.
Draper made his breakthrough last season with a run to the US Open semi-finals, yet he has failed to make the last eight at any of this year’s three Grand Slams.
“It makes me think that Andy Murray’s achievement of winning here twice is just unbelievable,” Draper said.
“Obviously you guys mention the pressure all the time but the main reason is I wasn’t good enough today.
“Even though I’ve had an amazing progression in the last 12 months, this shows the work I need to do. I thought I was further ahead than I am.”
In contrast to Draper’s woes in south-west London, Cilic has an impressive record at Wimbledon, finishing as runner-up in 2017, when he lost in the final against Roger Federer.
The former world number three has not played at the All England Club since 2021 and has slipped down the rankings after battling a knee injury that required surgery.
“My emotions are just incredible. Where I was two years ago, I can’t even describe. It has been a long journey but I never lost any faith,” Cilic said.
“It was a long and testing period, plus a huge challenge for me in this part of my career to come back and play at this level.
“To play in front of this crowd is incredible. I’m just feeling great and hoping I can continue to play well.”
Cilic has reached three Grand Slam finals, winning his sole major title at the 2014 US Open and losing to Federer at Wimbledon in 2017 and the Australian Open in 2018.
Now 36, the big-serving Cilic is firmly in the twilight of his career.
He had lost in the opening round at the Australian and French Opens this year, but his superb display against Draper underlined his enduring quality on grass.
He returned to the top 100 by winning the second-tier Challenger event in Nottingham last month.
Dedicating the win to his children, Cilic added: “They are one of the reasons that I kept such a great passion for this sport.
“Also always running after them keeps me in great shape! I’m so pleased they are here supporting me.”
Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, swept into the third round as the world number one thrashed Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.
While several of Wimbledon’s top male stars have suffered shock exits, including third seed Alexander Zverev and world number four Jack Draper, there has been no hint of an upset in Sinner’s opening two matches.
The 23-year-old has dropped just 12 games in demolishing Vukic and Luca Nardi to make the last 32 at the All England Club.
After blowing a two-set lead and three match-points in his agonising French Open final defeat on clay against Carlos Alcaraz in June, Sinner is on a mission to make amends on grass in London.
The three-time Grand Slam champion has never been past the Wimbledon semi-finals in four previous visits.
But the Italian is back in the groove and is on course for a blockbuster clash with world number two Alcaraz in the final on July 13.
The reigning US Open and Australian Open champion next faces another Spaniard Pedro Martinez on Saturday.
Earlier, Novak Djokovic helped himself to a 99 in the Wimbledon sunshine as Dan Evans melted away.
Djokovic, the seven-time champion, is now just one short of a century of match wins in SW19 after a 6-3 6-2 6-0 win of ominous efficiency.
Evans was tasked with being this year’s plucky Brit to face the Serbian on Centre Court, reprising a role previously played by Jacob Fearnley, Jack Draper, Kyle Edmund and James Ward.
It was by no means a flaky performance from the 35-year-old, but he still went the same way as all the others.
“I knew it was going to be a special atmosphere on the court today, a Brit in Britain is never easy to face,” said Djokovic.
“He’s a good quality player that possesses a lot of talent. Sometimes you have these kind of days where everything goes your way.”
Evans had won their only previous career meeting, in Monte Carlo four years ago.
This time he was playing with house money, having arrived at Wimbledon as a wild card with a ranking now down at 154.
But Djokovic quickly upped the ante, with Evans having to save nine break points in the first set before succumbing to the 10th to trail 5-3.
It was relentless from the 38-year-old, who held to love with an ace to clinch a first set in which he dropped just three points on his own serve.
If that set was impressive, the second was almost impeccable. Djokovic hit 12 winners, made just one unforced error, won every point on his first serve and gave Evans only two on his second.
Djokovic, who openly admits this year’s Championships is his best chance of winning a record 25th grand slam title, would not take his foot off Evans’ throat, completing victory in just an hour and 47 minutes.
Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, Iga Swiatek survived a scare as the five-time Grand Slam champion fought back for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win against American world number 208 Caty McNally on Thursday.
Polish eighth seed Swiatek was in danger of becoming the latest star to crash out of the grass-court Grand Slam after losing the first set on Centre Court.
Five of the top 10 seeds have already been eliminated from the women’s singles draw.
But the 24-year-old dug deep to win the final two sets as she moved into the third round.
Despite being a former junior champion at Wimbledon, Swiatek has struggled on grass in her professional career, with none of her 22 WTA titles coming on the surface.
The former world number one, who has won the French Open on clay four times, has never been past the quarter-finals in five previous visits to the All England Club.
Swiatek said she “showed there is hope” for her on grass after reaching the Bad Homburg Open final in the build-up to Wimbledon.
Beaten in the Australian and French Open semi-finals this year, Swiatek can still dream of making it to the Wimbledon final for the first time.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova moved into the third round with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win over American world number 67 Caroline Dolehide on Thursday.
The Czech 17th seed took one hour and 51 minutes to grind out another hard-fought victory to keep her title defence alive.
Krejcikova had powered back from a set down to beat Philippines star Alexandra Eala in the first round on Tuesday.
“Definitely a huge relief,” Krejcikova said. “It was tough, really up and down, so many points turning one way and the other.
“I wasn’t feeling that well but I was fighting for every ball. I’m really happy I won the third set.”
The two-time Grand Slam champion has endured a difficult time since defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the final last year.
The 29-year-old was out of action until May after suffering a back injury and lost in the second round of the recent French Open.
Krejcikova pulled out of last week’s Eastbourne Open before the quarter-finals with a thigh problem and has played just eight matches this year.
But Krejcikova is relishing being back on the hallowed turf of the All England Club.
“Definitely a very special tournament for me,” she said.
“The last six to eight months were really difficult. I really appreciate this. I’m happy and grateful to be here playing matches and feeing good and healthy.”
The Czech was broken in the fourth game of the first set, but responded emphatically.
She won four consecutive games to regain control and served out the set.
Krejcikova wobbled in the second set, dropping serve in the sixth game as Dolehide levelled the match.
But the Czech steadied her nerve in the deciding set and landed the decisive break for a 4-2 lead before serving out the win.
– © AFP 2025, with additional reporting by Press Association
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