Jack Draper and Katie Boulter hit top form with title double to raise British hopes ahead of Wimbledon

jack draper and katie boulter hit top form with title double to raise british hopes ahead of wimbledon

draperboulter.jpg

Just as Andy Murray prepares to sign off from professional tennis, the indicators are the British public have reasons to cheer.

A few hours and about 700 miles apart, Jack Draper picked up his first ATP Title in Stuttgart, while Katie Boulter was also a winner on grass, successfully defending her Nottingham title.

First, Boulter had to recover from a set down to win her all-British clash against Emma Raducanu, scheduled for Saturday and then delayed by rain, before returning a few hours later to beat Karolina Pliskova. Their wins leave Draper and Boulter ranked 31st in the world and on the brink of being seeded for their home Grand Slam at Wimbledon in two weeks' time.

Draper is also British No1 for the first time after Cameron Norrie's ongoing demise, although the British No2 will hope to return to winning ways today at Queen's Club against Milos Raonic.

"It's a real honour to be in that position and hopefully I can be No1 for many years to come," said Draper. "In all honesty, I wasn't thinking about it this year."

Twice he had come close to ATP titles, only to come unstuck in Sofia in November and in Adelaide in January. As for celebrations, he said there would be none as he hopped on a plane straight back to London ahead of his opening-round match at Queen's tomorrow. Part of his prize was an electric bike, which he joked he would have repainted in Batman black to ride down Putney High Street.

Like Draper, Boulter has little time to rest on her laurels, as she turns her attention to the Birmingham Classic tomorrow.

But having won back-to-back titles in Nottingham, she said: "This is a bit of deja-vu. I'm not sure if I'm dreaming or if this just happened. This place has a special place in my heart and it has been an incredible week."

It was also a day when Draper and Boulter were named in the British team for the Olympics, alongside the likes of Murray.

But Raducanu opted against selection, despite earning a wildcard from the International Tennis Federation as a former Grand Slam champion, deciding the risk to her recently frail body of switching to clay not one worth taking.

To receive the best stories in your inbox every day, click here to register for one or more newsletters from The Standard.

OTHER NEWS

10 minutes ago

McLaren reveal alternative plans after fire rips through damaged motorhome

10 minutes ago

Gary Lineker risks more England backlash by singling out star by name

10 minutes ago

Donald Trump Evidence Shows 'Criminal Intent'—Ex-FBI Assistant Director

10 minutes ago

Movie Review: Kevin Costner sets the table with overstuffed first take on epic 'Horizon'

10 minutes ago

England ease to victory in opening ODI against New Zealand

10 minutes ago

‘Jay Slater’s parents will be fearing the worst - I know because my son went missing in Ibiza’

10 minutes ago

Starmer’s strongest warning yet to striking doctors: I won’t give 35% rise

10 minutes ago

Jay Slater’s family are ‘utterly broken’ and ‘still holding out hope’ to find teen in Tenerife

10 minutes ago

Glastonbury Festival drinks prices spark complaints as Prosecco sold for £43

10 minutes ago

Sports world reacts to Alex Morgan being left off 2024 USWNT Olympic roster

10 minutes ago

First plastic waste road inaugurated in Jaipur Military station

10 minutes ago

Jerry Seinfeld made these protesters ‘part of the act’: Tyrus

10 minutes ago

Trump goes off on Biden in early morning screed ahead of debate: ‘Man is a walking LYING MACHINE’

10 minutes ago

Julian Assange is ‘not a hero’: Former Home Affairs secretary

10 minutes ago

“Sometimes I’m just tired of words”: Yellowstone Star Has No Regrets Exchanging Blows With Taylor Sheridan Before Becoming a Fan-Favorite Among Women for His Role

10 minutes ago

Ayo Edebiri Refreshes the Bubble Hem Dress in a Playful Floral Mini

10 minutes ago

Phoebe Gates Graduates College – and Gives Parents Bill and Melinda a Shout-Out: 'So Grateful'

10 minutes ago

WNBA Commissioner's Cup Championship 2024: Liberty stars express frustration with game's move to UBS Arena

10 minutes ago

Keira Knightley recalls Donald Sutherland wearing gas mask to party: 'Unbelievably intimidated'

10 minutes ago

A power-boosting backswing feel pros use—and a trendy training aid that helps

10 minutes ago

Justin Timberlake shouts out 'GOAT' in attendance at Madison Square Garden show

10 minutes ago

Mzansi young lady becomes South Africa's newest female pilot

10 minutes ago

Wimbledon women’s singles draw: 5 most dangerous unseeded players – ft. Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu

13 minutes ago

Beach volleyball at the 2024 Olympics in Paris: Rules, venue, history

14 minutes ago

95K Ford trucks recalled in Canada over ‘unexpected downshift’ risk

15 minutes ago

Marvel Studios Heading Back To Hall H At San Diego Comic-Con

15 minutes ago

Supreme Court backs Biden administration in social media case

15 minutes ago

Biden issues blanket pardon to troops expelled from the military for their sexuality

17 minutes ago

Video: Yellowstone cast update as Ryan Bingham, Ian Bohen, Jen Landon, Finn Little and Forrie J Smith join Cole Hauser in Montana - see the photos

17 minutes ago

Video: Sir Ian McKellen, 85, dances with Anthony Hopkins, 86, in matching checkered jackets in adorable video - a week after shocking stage fall accident during his West End show

17 minutes ago

Fifth beachgoer dies in just four days at this popular vacation spot

17 minutes ago

T.J. Tampa Talks Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Ravens offseason food banter

17 minutes ago

I'm a single mother who just graduated with a master's degree. My two toddlers helped me survive the chaos.

17 minutes ago

WATCH: Browns QB Jameis Winston could sling it from right field as well

17 minutes ago

Rassie Erasmus: ‘Let’s spice it up’

17 minutes ago

Soweto club Kaizer Chiefs have released four players at the advice of their new technical team ahead of next season

17 minutes ago

Naesen delightfully describes what it’s like to race against "mutants" Van der Poel and Pogacar

17 minutes ago

Liverpool reject first offer for 'press-resistant' midfielder - but talks are ongoing

17 minutes ago

Buccaneers insider discusses job security of HC Todd Bowles

17 minutes ago

Fly Across the Country for Less Than $30 With Frontier’s 30th Birthday Sale — but You Have to Book Soon