Jack Draper accused of taking 'high risk' at Wimbledon as Andy Murray claim made

Marin Cilic claimed his old rival Andy Murray should take credit for the strength of British tennis before he faces "incredible" Jack Draper at Wimbledon. The 2014 US Open champion played the former world No.1 in every Grand Slam with Murray winning their only match at Wimbledon in 2012.

Ten British players won through to the second round in their home Grand Slam, including seven men. And now the Croatian, who reached the 2017 Wimbledon final, said: "There are quite a few British guys who are playing well and that's due to Andy pushing them, practising with them possibly and giving them some of his knowledge from his side.

"He is incredible. He has got great potential. I have been watching his game a lot. He is playing high risk, high, high intensity tennis that Andy didn't play but I would say the mentality. Jack is also hungry to win, very motivated which is quite similar to Andy.

"He has improved incredibly in the last two, two and a half years. Interestingly, we have never hit or played any matches so it's going to be a first. He is having an incredible 12 months and on a career high, playing incredible tennis. A lot of superlatives for him and obviously he is in great form with his age as well, playing at home so definitely a great challenge to play him and I hope to play well."

Cilic, 36, returned from two knee surgeries to become the oldest ever winner of a Challenger event on grass in Nottingham - beating the previous record held by Murray.

And the Croatian, who is 6ft 5in, said Draper's history of physical ailments is also due to his 6ft 4 in height.

"He is also a similar player to me," said the world No.83. "He is red lining most of the time. With the serving, with the hitting. You can see he is very physical. Most of his shots he is going for it big. And basically when he is winning, he is winning on his own terms. It is not that the guy is going to give it to him.

"So it puts a stress on your body and puts a little bit more risk to the game, to the body just to be able to go through the season, season after season, without injuries. And it's that kind of game that you have to accept it. Some shorter guys are not hitting as big, are not at that stress level. It is huge, It's obviously a bit different."

Former world No.3 Cilic underwent surgeries on his right knee in 2023 and 2024 and is playing his first Wimbledon for five years.

"It is good to be back," he said. "My knee is great. I have always been very professional with everything - with discipline, training - to give myself another chance to come back and play again."

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