Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie spearheaded an impressive performance by British tennis players at the French Open, marking a milestone with six players advancing to the second round at Roland Garros the best British first-round showing in 52 years.
Norrie delivered a standout victory over former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, seeded 11th, in a gripping five-set battle. After taking the first two sets 7-5, 6-3, Norrie faced a fierce comeback as Medvedev rallied to win the next two sets 6-4, 6-1. Trailing 3-5 in the decisive set, Norrie showed remarkable resilience to win the last four games, clinching the match 7-5 in the final set. This victory was not only one of the best in Norrie’s career but also his first-ever win against Medvedev after four previous straight-set losses. Norrie credited a mental reset earlier in the year for his return to form, acknowledging that he had been forcing results and setting unrealistic expectations for himself. Since then, he has focused on enjoying the game and competing with renewed passion.
Draper also had a significant breakthrough by claiming his first-ever French Open match win, defeating Mattia Bellucci in four sets, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Draper’s journey at Roland Garros had been marked by promise and nerves, as this was his third appearance but his first victory on the Paris clay. Despite a shaky start where Bellucci took the first set with an impressive underarm serve, Draper kept his composure and dominated the remainder of the match. He now faces Gaël Monfils, who staged a dramatic comeback from two sets down in his own second-round match.
Sonay Kartal also impressed on her main-draw debut by easily defeating Erika Andreeva 6-0, 6-2. Alongside Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, and Jacob Fearnley, their wins contributed to the rare achievement of three British men and three British women progressing past the first round — the first time this has happened in the open era and the highest number of British players to reach the second round since 1973.
Draper praised his fellow British players, noting the hard work and quality across the group and expressing no surprise at their collective success on clay. This performance signals growing confidence in British tennis on a surface traditionally dominated by continental Europeans.
For Norrie, the victory over Medvedev was a particularly meaningful highlight in what has been a challenging few years. After reaching career highs—including winning the Indian Wells Masters 1000 in 2021, competing in the Wimbledon semifinals in 2022, and peaking at No. 8 in the ATP rankings—Norrie has faced a string of setbacks, including injuries and dips in form. His ranking dropped to No. 91 just two weeks ago, the lowest since 2018. However, by taking a step back to reassess and refocus on the joy of playing tennis, Norrie has managed to rekindle his competitive edge.
In his post-match reflections, Norrie described Medvedev as one of the toughest opponents on tour outside the likes of Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic. Beating such a high-caliber player in a best-of-five-sets grand slam match reinforced Norrie’s belief in his ability to compete at the top level again.
Meanwhile, Draper’s performance illustrated his rapid rise this year, breaking new ground on clay and entering the tournament as a top-five player at a grand slam for the first time. His tactical maturity and calmness under pressure were evident as he recovered from a slow start and demonstrated his versatile game. Draper’s win over Bellucci showed he could withstand early nerves and outlast a talented opponent with a variety of shots and steady mental focus.
The British contingent’s success at the French Open is a promising sign for the future, demonstrating that they are no longer daunted by the challenges of clay-court tennis. With multiple players advancing beyond the first round and notable victories against established stars, British tennis looks poised to build on this momentum throughout the tournament. The players’ performances reflect a mix of resilience, growth, and renewed confidence that could signal a strong era ahead for the nation on the international tennis stage.
