Dark day for Britain as Raducanu and Draper just the start of Wimbledon woes
It was the worst day in Wimbledon history for the Brits, as all 10 in action crashed out on Monday, an Open Era record. And on a dark afternoon, Jack Draper was also forced to withdraw around 24 hours before he was due to face sixth seed Taylor Fritz on Centre Court with coach Andy Murray in his corner.
British No.1 Cameron Norrie, who was the nation’s best hope of a deep run here after Draper and Emma Raducanu pulled out, suffered a five-set defeat to American qualifier Michael Zheng. The world No.144 needed four hours to beat the home favourite 6-7 6-2 6-7 6-3 7-6.
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Norrie, 30, said: “He played better than me. If I could have had a few more matches kind of leading in, I think I can win this match. There were so many small moments in the match that he did really well to go on his side.”
The No.26 seed also said he “wasn’t thinking about” being Britain’s best hope here. He added: “I just wanted to beat Michael. I was preparing for that.”
There were 11 Brits in action yesterday, but Jack Pinnington Jones’ clash with Brandon Nakashima was suspended in the third set due to bad light. Of the 10 that finished their matches, Max Basing, Oliver Tarvet, Felix Gill, Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic, Alicia Dudeney, Hannah Klugman, Mimi Xu and Francesca Jones all crashed out.
Outside of Norrie, who was seeded, the average rankings gap between the other nine Brits and their opponents was 215 places.
Klugman, 17, a former junior No. 1, faced 2024 champion Barbora Krejcikova and explained: “I think that's probably the best player I have played so far in my career. I've never really felt that, her forehand, the jump on her forehand. So much to take to the practice court now.”
And Draper, 24, pulled out after reaggravating the bone bruising in his left arm, an issue that had forced him to cut his 2025 season short.
The former world No.4 said: “Devastated to share that I have had to withdraw from my first round match due to a recurrence of my arm injury. There have been a lot of painful moments in the last 12 months but this one is definitely the absolute worst as there is no greater honour for a British player than playing at Wimbledon. I will continue to persevere through this.”
Two-time former champion Murray joined Draper’s team for the grass season, but the world No.131 played just one tournament under the Scot’s tutelage, reaching the Eastbourne semi-finals.
But Draper is hopeful that the retired British tennis icon will join him at the US Open later this summer. Before his withdrawal, the Sutton-born star said: “This is the start of me and Andy’s relationship. I think that will carry on and I think we both hope that’s going to carry on.
“I’m not guaranteeing that but I would say that [I’m open to it]. I think we have to have those discussions. He absolutely seems like he has loved being around me and my team and really wants to help me to fulfil my potential.”
Britain’s woes even caught the attention of world No.1 Jannik Sinner, who said: “It's tough for the UK. Emma out, Jack out, it's tough.”
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