"Definitely in the conversation": Tim Henman makes interesting claim about Jack Draper ahead of French Open third-round clash

Former Britain’s number one Tim Henman believes that his countryman Jack Draper is emerging as one of the leading candidates to lift the French Open this year. The 23-year-old, who is already regarded as one of the most talented players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category, has cemented his spot in the third round at the Roland Garros after beating veteran French tennis star Gael Monfils with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

That victory sets up a mouthwatering clash between Draper and Brazil’s young tennis sensation Joao Fonseca, who cemented his spot in the round of 32 after beating France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.

Henman, who is currently working for TNT Sports during the coverage of the second Grand Slam of the year, praised his fellow countryman, who, according to him, is becoming one of the top contenders to lift the title. The 50-year-old also went on to call both Draper and Fonseca ‘massive stars’ of the future.

"The way he [Draper] played last night was so impressive," he said. "He's impressed me numerous times this year, and every time I sort of feel like he's gone up a level, whether that was the five-set matches in Australia, the way he played in Indian Wells, beating Carlos Alcaraz and then winning his first Masters 1000 title, making the final in Madrid, and then to see him play Monfils last night, his level was exceptional. There's no doubt that there are people ahead of him in terms of lists of favorites, but if he keeps playing like that, then he is most definitely in the conversation. I think they're two massive stars of the future," said Henman about Draper and Fonseca. There's no doubt that Alcaraz and [Jannik] Sinner are leading from the front, but when you talk about the up-and-coming superstars, Draper is right there now at No. 5 in the world, but in terms of someone further back, Fonseca is definitely one of the most exciting stars that I've seen in quite some time. He's been making breakthroughs at every level, so this is a big, big test for Fonseca."