Williams’ ex-coach enthusiastic about Britain’s different Raducanu as payday on horizon

Jack Draper has been hailed because the “future of British tennis” earlier than he bids for the most important payday of his profession on the UTS Grand Final in London subsequent month. But first the British No.4 is 2 wins away from his first ATP Tour title on the Sofia Open this week.

The huge left-hander will be a part of fellow wildcard Holger “The Viking” Rune, Andrey “Rublo” Rublev, Casper “The Iceman” Ruud and Gael “La Monf” Monfils within the T20-style exhibition occasion to be held on the ExCel Arena. Invented by tremendous coach Patrick Mouratoglou, UTS tennis sees faster matches performed in 4 eight-minute quarters in entrance of raucous crowds. And Draper, 21, desires followers to select him nickname for the occasion.

The Davis Cup star reached the fourth spherical of the US Open in September and has banked $684,337 (£557,057) up to now  this season – and $1,769,400 in his profession. Winning all 5 of his matches in London from December 15-17 will see him earn $922,000 (£750,491). Draper shares the identical star high quality as his modern Emma Raducanu – and has additionally seen his early profession stalled by accidents – however Mouratoglou insisted he’s additionally destined for the highest.

“We’re excited to have Jack concerned,” stated Serena Williams’ former coach. “We really wanted to have a British player and I’m excited that it’s Jack because he’s the future of British tennis and he is probably the young player who has the biggest potential for the future. He has a huge potential. He has a big game, he has shown this year that he’s on the way to the top of the game, to the top 10 and then we’ll see – everything is open.”

Draper said: “Competing on home soil against some of the best players in the world, will be a special experience for me. The UTS is fun, disruptive, and I can’t wait to get on court! Let me know what you think my nickname should be!”

Playing his first ATP occasion since New York, the world No.82 reached the semi-finals in Bulgaria by beating Turkey’s Cem Ilken 6-2 6-2. He will subsequent face German Jan-Lennard Struff as he bids to succeed in his first ATP ultimate and declare the primary prize of £74,303. “It will  be two big hitters playing so hopefully it will be a good match,” Draper stated.