Jack Draper has set his sights on becoming Britain's next Andy Murray after his five-set win on Centre Court on Tuesday.
The new British No1 did his best Murray impression as he edged a rollercoaster match with the roof closed and the lights on to beat Elias Ymer 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
And it seemed an apt passing of the torch from one British player to the next, Murray due to play the late match on Centre Court against Tomas Machac before pulling out after failing to recover from his back surgery in time.
Draper was promptly moved to that slot and gave an indication British tennis might have a bright future in his hands, albeit a potentially nervy one as with Murray over the years at the All England Club.
"I think it's going to be tough to emulate what Andy's achieved," he said. "It's obviously unbelievable. He's won here a couple of times, he's been part of that big four era who were just winning constantly.
"If I just keep on improving, keep on doing my best, I don't see why I can't be a great player like Andy has been."
Draper was quick to pay homage to Murray, who was denied his singles farewell at what will be his last Wimbledon but has committed to play with brother Jamie in the doubles later in the week.
"I wouldn't be here without Andy," he said on court to the delight of those who had stayed into the night to watch him. "What a competitor, what a champion, thank you very much."
As auditions go for the next Murray and a new fan favourite at SW19, Draper made a good fist of it. Despite having previously won just one main draw match at Wimbledon, he seemed at home on such a big stage and used the home crowd to his advantage.
The 22-year-old had struggled in the past with marathon matches, his body often breaking down, but he looked fresh to the finish and inevitably will return to Centre Court for another late match in an all-British tussle against Cameron Norrie, the player he replaced as British No1.
Again, there were echoes of a younger Murray for Draper in the injuries he suffered, in his case forcing him to miss Wimbledon last year and a big chunk of the 2023 season before working tirelessly over the winter to improve his strength and conditioning.
Draper has had a breakthrough in 2024, staying injury free, winning a first main tour title — on the grass in Stuttgart — and marking his first slam here as a seed.
But he admitted after beating Ymer that it had been an arduous climb to get to that point. "For years, I was trying to understand things, I was trying to work on how I could just get better," he said. "It was really difficult. I wanted success but I maybe wasn't sure how hard I wanted to work for it.
"After the experiences I had with certain injuries and certain times, I was told by people how good I could be but then wasn't fulfilling it.
"I had to look at myself and try to understand how I could change. It's tough because you have to mature so young. If you're not, you'll struggle.
"I'd say from last summer, a lot of things changed in my life off the court, on the court. I became very, very focused on what I needed to do."
