CINCH CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 16, 2021

Jack Draper

Queens Club

Press Conference

J. DRAPER/A. Bublik

7-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I was just wondering how you felt at the start of the tiebreak, having had the opportunity to close it out in straight sets, whether there were many nerves, even though it really didn't look like that, given how you closed things out in the end?

JACK DRAPER: I wouldn't say nerves. I'd say just it's a bit of a comedown mentally, because obviously I had worked so hard to get the break of serve, and then to not quite serve it out and give him the opportunity back to be on equal terms in the second set was difficult.

I was definitely feeling it in the second-set tiebreak. You know, maybe Bublik helped me out a little bit towards the end of it, but I still put in three great points to start the tiebreak. Yeah, I was just glad I was able to close it out today.

Q. I'm just wondering, growing up, I mean, was this the tournament you followed as a kid? Does that sort of make it a little bit harder to believe that you have managed to reach this stage so soon in your career?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I mean, I guess I haven't really thought of it like that. But when I was younger, I used to come here and watch Murray. I've got a photo on my phone of the trophy. I remember it's quite a big trophy. It was almost bigger than me when I was sort of eight years old.

But definitely, I used to watch this tournament and get very inspired by the top Brits who were playing here and all the other great players. You know, to be in the quarterfinals at such a prestigious event like Queen's, yeah, it's a very good achievement for myself.

Q. What can you tell us about facing Cameron? He said that he's actually been on court with you a fair amount in the last week. I guess you have played him on the Battle of the Brits stage last year. What do you make of him as an opponent?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, I mean, I really like Cam. We have a great relationship. You know, he's had an unbelievable year on the tour. You know, every week he's played numerous matches and gone deep. And off court, you know, he's always been very nice to me, you know, very welcoming and has taught me a lot about tennis but also professionalism. Cam is one of those guys that does everything right, ticks all the right boxes.

So the match on Friday is going to be very difficult. We played, as you said, in December at the NTC in the Battle of the Brits, but I suppose in the grand scheme of things, that was a practice match. I guess an Friday it will be, quarters at Queen's, it will be the real deal. Hopefully we can both play at a good level and show some good tennis.

Q. Pretty good day today getting the Wimbledon wildcard as well. How did you find out about that? Was that a bit of a boost for you before going out on court?

JACK DRAPER: Yeah, definitely. I'm very grateful that the All England Club put me forward for a wildcard. Obviously it's one of the biggest tournaments in the world. To be a Brit playing that is always special.

You know, same as this week, I'm very proud to be in the draws. I just hope that I can show the same level as I have shown here. It will be my first time competing at five sets also. It will be a good challenge for me.

Yeah, very grateful to the All England Club. Looking forward to playing there in a couple weeks' time.

Q. What can you tell us about the football watching in the hotel? Can we kind of work your match against Cam into an England/Scotland thing given that he's at least half Scottish?

JACK DRAPER: I'm not too sure about Cam's Scottish roots. I mean, he's definitely playing under the British flag. At the hotel there has been a lot of the banter between the players obviously because everyone is from different countries.

Watching the football is always something to enjoy, especially during this tough period when we have to be, I guess, isolated and in the bubble. So being able to have such good sport on the TV is always entertaining, especially when having dinner.

I think it brings all the players together, because, you know, some are playing each other, some nationalities, and, yeah, it's a fun atmosphere at the hotel, given the circumstances.