BRITISH NO 1 JACK DRAPER DECLARES HIMSELF READY TO STEP INTO ANDY MURRAY'S SHOES... WITH THE SCOT STILL DECIDING IF HE'LL PLAY IN WIMBLEDON SINGLES AFTER SPINAL CYST SURGERY
- Andy Murray practiced but his participation at Wimbledon remains a doubt
- Tomas Machac wants the British legend fit for their first round clash on Tuesday
- However, British No 1 Jack Draper says he's ready to take over from Murray
As Andy Murray continues to agonise over whether or not to take to the singles court at Wimbledon for a final time, Jack Draper declared himself ready to step into those battle-worn old tennis shoes.
'I want to take over from Andy's legacy, what he did for British tennis,' said the 22-year-old. 'I don't see any reason why I can't if I keep on working hard, keeping the right people around me. As Andy said: focus on the process not the outcome.'
The next stage of Draper's process comes on Tuesday against Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer. After the first title of his career in Stuttgart and the Carlos Alcaraz win at Queen's Club, the British No 1 should be well capable of a deep run here.
Murray had a practice hit on Monday and afterwards said he would consult 'my team and my family' before making a call. He added that a decision would 'most likely' be made on Monday night but as darkness began to close on the All England Club there was no official word either way.
The 37-year-old is likely to sleep on it one more time. The two-time champion is due to face Czech Tomas Machac in the last match of the day on Centre Court, but is still struggling with nerve pain in his right leg after having a spinal cyst removed.
Murray played practice points against former British No 1 Kyle Edmund – whose own career has been compromised by injury – and for what it's worth was winning 6-3, 2-0 when their court time was up.
Asked how he felt it had gone, he told reporters: 'It went OK. How did you think it went, you're the experts?'
Well, in my decidedly inexpert view, the serve and forehand looked relatively unaffected and he was OK coming forward into the net. But his lateral movement was compromised and he struggled on the backhand side – a stroke that requires a loading of weight on to that right leg. Did he look ready for five-set combat? Not to my eye.
Machac is left somewhat in limbo. The 23-year-old has already beaten the great Scot twice this year – most notably in Miami when a fine run of Murray form was ended by a ruptured ankle ligament.
'Hopefully he will be alright and we can play,' said Machac. 'In Miami he hurt his ankle - and still played like he hadn't! It was a real battle. So hopefully he will be alright, it's good for tennis if he can play here.
'He's a great fighter so I think if he steps on the court he will be 100 per cent ready to play a whole match.
'If he is not ready he will not play. But if he is standing on the court he will go for the win.'
If Murray does pull out, poor old Machac faces the prospect of being booted off Centre Court. With all respect, a tie between the world 39 and a replacement lucky loser is hardly befitting Wimbledon's cathedral court, and All England Club CEO Sally Bolton confirmed on Monday: 'We will remain agile on the schedule.'
If Murray plays it promises to be a real tear-jerker of an evening – especially if, as is surely likely, he goes out on his shield. The All England Club have been keeping any plans to mark Murray's final Wimbledon singles match quiet – although they have never contradicted the assumption that he will one day have a statue here.
Infamously Murray had to sit through an on-court tribute video five years ago in Australia – when he hinted at retirement before rowing back. He will probably not want an enormous song and dance but Wimbledon doubtless have something suitably tasteful up their well-tailored sleeve.
Draper and Murray are two of 12 Brits in action on Tuesday. From that dirty dozen, seven wins would feel about par.
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