Draper Advances at Wimbledon After Baez Retires Injured

Draper Through to Wimbledon Second Round as Baez Retires

British number one Jack Draper made a confident start to his Wimbledon 2025 campaign as he advanced to the second round following the injury retirement of Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.

The fourth seed was leading 6-2 6-2 2-1 when Baez, a clay-court specialist, retired after slipping on the Court One baseline, bringing the match to an end after just one hour and 14 minutes.

“I wanted to play a bit longer in all honesty,” Draper said. “I felt I was getting my tennis together. Obviously, it’s no way to win like that, and I wish Sebastian the best in his recovery.”

Poised for a New Era

With Andy Murray’s retirement, Draper now carries the torch as Britain’s top men’s hope. The 23-year-old is enjoying a meteoric rise, having reached the US Open semi-finals, won the prestigious Indian Wells Masters, and broken into the ATP top five within the past year.

While Draper’s Wimbledon record remains modest, with just three main-draw wins, this year marks a new chapter as he steps fully into the spotlight.

He now prepares to face Marin Cilic, the 2017 runner-up, in the second round—a significant test against one of the grass court’s most seasoned veterans.

Wimbledon Crowd Backs Draper

Though Centre Court will always belong to Murray, Draper is clearly winning hearts. On Court One, fans packed every seat, and a fan poster bearing Draper’s face was waved enthusiastically throughout.

Even off the court, the 6’4” left-hander is becoming a household name. Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who recently co-starred with Draper in a Burberry campaign, was courtside alongside his team.

“I don’t feel pressure until people mention it every five minutes,” Draper quipped. “I just concentrate on what I can control.”

Serve: Draper’s Grass-Court Weapon

One of the keys to Draper’s success on grass is his powerful, left-handed serve. Against Baez, Draper’s dominance on serve was clear:

• 78% first serves landed in the first set

• Won 86% of points on first serve in the first set

• Won 23 of 25 first-serve points (93%) before Baez retired

• Fired four aces early in the match

While Draper admits he could improve his groundstrokes, his serve continues to be a vital asset, especially on faster surfaces.

What’s Next?

Draper will now face Marin Cilic in round two—a tricky challenge against a former Wimbledon finalist. If he continues to serve at such a high level, the 23-year-old has every chance to push deep into the draw.

With the crowd behind him and expectations rising, Jack Draper’s era at Wimbledon might just be getting started.