Jack Draper taking over from Murray after beating ‘superstar’ Alcaraz | Tennis | Sport

Andrew Castle has claimed Jack Draper’s stunning win over Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz was “a moment of arrival”.

And the BBC commentator said “the baton” has been passed from Andy Murray to the new British No.1.

Less than 24 hours after the three-time Grand Slam winner limped out of the cinch Championships in agony, the Queen’s Club crowd have a new darling after Draper beat the defending champion 7-6 6-2.

Draper, who won his first ATP Tour title in Stuttgart on Sunday, is the first British man to beat the top seed here since John Paish shocked Stan Smith in the 1972 quarter-finals.

Murray recorded his first ATP Tour wins here in 2005 before returning to win this title a record five times. Now Draper, 22, is the bright new hope in British tennis with Wimbledon starting on July 1.

And former British No.1 Castle said: “I remembered seeing Andy Murray here in 2005 against Thomas Johansson. It is reminiscent of that.

“If you can beat Carlos Alcaraz, resigning champion and genuine superstar, I am genuinely excited. It is certainly a moment of arrival.

“We are happy to have witnessed it. Isn’t it strange – 24 hours after Andy, it really feels like the baton has been passed. It’s almost like ‘here you go, it’s your turn!’

“The baton feels like it has been passed. I wish Andy all the best and hope he can play Wimbledon. But it is incredible. It is like: ‘Here, it is your turn’. It is crazy. He is only going to get better.

“You don’t get to the ranking Draper has got to without earning that position. I think Jack can go a long way.”

Fellow commentator Annabel Croft added: “I think it is a life-changing win for him. I think his life is about to change big time.”

BBC analyst John Lloyd said: “He bullied him. He was absolutely in the zone. He is so brilliant to watch. He is awesome. The variety he has in his game is wonderful to watch.”