A figure of composure and poise throughout what would transpire to be the biggest afternoon of his career so far, Jack Draper could not contain his emotions any longer by the end. Calm at the moment of triumph, when Carlos Alcaraz whipped a final forehand into the net, respectful at the shake of hands, the 22-year-old from Sutton in south London leapt up in the air and screamed towards his elated player box.
Nineteen years on from Andy Murray’s emergence to the British public at Queen’s – and a day after the two-time Wimbledon champion retired with the end of his career close now – this felt like a statement win. A changing of the guard: Draper has arrived.
