In the sweltering 26°C heat of west London, British tennis sensation Jack Draper ignited the grass court season with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory over American Jenson Brooksby in the first round of the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club on June 17, 2025. The 23-year-old British No. 1, now ranked world No. 6, showcased his explosive game and unrelenting focus, advancing to the second round alongside top seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz. Draper’s performance, described by fans as a “statement win,” signals his readiness to challenge for honors on home soil as Wimbledon looms just two weeks away.
Draper, stepping onto the Andy Murray Arena with the weight of British expectations, wasted no time asserting dominance. From the match’s opening point—a scorching forehand winner that clipped the line—he set the tone for a 77-minute masterclass. “Good to be home,” he scrawled on the courtside camera, a nod to his Putney roots and the passionate crowd that roared with every point. The first set saw Draper break Brooksby’s serve in the seventh game, capitalizing on a wayward shot that sailed into the net. A double break followed, sealing the set 6-3 with a pinpoint ace. The second set was even more one-sided, with Draper winning 10 of the final 11 games, his relentless groundstrokes and vicious serves overwhelming the 24-year-old American.
“It’s great to be back on grass,” Draper said post-match, his grin reflecting the joy of playing before a home crowd. “The support here is unreal, and I’m just trying to build momentum for Wimbledon.” His performance was a stark contrast to their earlier meeting at Indian Wells in March, where Draper had to claw back from a 4-1 deficit. This time, there was no such drama. His potent lefty serve, described by former British star Annabel Croft as a “nightmare” for opponents, swung wide and kicked unpredictably, leaving Brooksby scrambling. Draper’s composure under pressure was evident when he erased a 0-30 deficit in the third game with a thunderous ace, prompting cries of “Come on, Jack!” from the stands.
The match wasn’t without its challenges. A brief pause occurred due to a medical issue in the crowd, a reminder of the intense conditions, but Draper remained unfazed, his focus laser-sharp. His victory marks his fifth consecutive tournament featuring a 6-0 or 6-1 set, a streak dating back to Monte Carlo, underscoring his meteoric rise. “I’m working on consistency,” Draper noted, acknowledging the gap between himself and elite players like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. With only 168 tour-level matches compared to Alcaraz’s 300, he’s acutely aware of the experience deficit but brimming with confidence.
Draper’s next challenge is a second-round clash with Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, a big-hitting player who promises a tougher test. A potential quarterfinal against Frances Tiafoe looms, with a semifinal against Taylor Fritz or Alex de Minaur possible. Last year, Draper stunned Alcaraz in the second round at Queen’s, a 7-6(3), 6-3 upset that ended the Spaniard’s 13-match grass court win streak. “That win showed me I can compete with the best,” Draper reflected. “I’m ready to do it again.”
Meanwhile, Alcaraz, fresh off his French Open triumph, survived a scare against lucky loser Adam Walton, prevailing 6-4, 7-6(4). The Spaniard, who jetted to Ibiza for a brief respite after Paris, admitted the grass transition was tricky. “First match on grass is never easy,” he said, scribbling “Grass season, here we go!” on the camera lens. His victory sets up a second-round meeting with Jordan Thompson or Jaume Munar.
Queen’s, an ATP 500 event, is a critical Wimbledon warm-up, and Draper’s performance has fueled hopes of a deep run. With Andy Murray’s retirement looming, the 23-year-old is poised to carry British tennis forward. His mother, Nicky, a former junior champion, and father, Roger, ex-Lawn Tennis Association chief, watched proudly as their son thrilled the home crowd. As he prepares for Popyrin, Draper’s mantra remains simple: “Keep doing the right things, and the results will come.” The grass courts of London have a new star, and he’s just getting started.
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