Jack Draper’s Wimbledon campaign came to an abrupt halt after a four-set defeat to Marin Cilic, the experienced Croatian staging a vintage performance to knock out Britain’s men’s No 1. Draper, who had entered the tournament with heightened expectations following his rise up the rankings and a title win at Indian Wells, fell 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 4-6 in a match that offered harsh lessons for the 23-year-old.
Much had been expected of Draper at this year’s Championships, with hopes that his powerful left-handed game and recent form would carry him deep into the draw. But his lack of experience on the big stage was exposed by Cilic, a former Wimbledon finalist who, despite battling injuries in recent years, looked the more composed and clinical of the two.
Cilic, 36, has spent more than two years out of the game due to a serious knee injury that required two surgeries. Yet he looked revitalized, fresh from a confidence-boosting title win in Nottingham last month. He dominated the early exchanges, using his booming serve and forehand to dictate play, while Draper looked rushed and tentative.
The first set saw Draper under constant pressure on serve, saving multiple break points at 4-3 but eventually faltering at 5-4. Cilic broke with a blistering backhand return, setting the tone for the rest of the match. The second set followed a similar pattern, Draper looking rattled and visibly frustrated as he struggled to deal with the pace and consistency of Cilic’s game. He even found himself questioning the accuracy of Wimbledon’s AI-assisted line calls, an indication of his growing agitation.
There was a brief revival in the third set as Draper came out with renewed energy, rediscovering his aggressive baseline game and breaking Cilic early to take the set 6-1. However, the momentum proved fleeting. Cilic remained calm, recalibrating in the fourth set and waiting for his opportunity. That came at 5-4, with Draper serving to stay in the match. Under pressure, the Briton faltered again, a mishit forehand on break point sealing his fate.
Despite the disappointment, Draper remained philosophical. He admitted he had not played at the level required and acknowledged that the loss highlighted important areas for improvement. For a player still in the early stages of his Grand Slam journey, the defeat could serve as a crucial step in his growth. Cilic, meanwhile, showed he still has the tools to mix it with the best, a comeback story that continues to inspire.
