"Sky is the limit": Martina Navratilova backs Jack Draper as contender to win Grand Slam in 2025

Former world number one Martina Navratilova has backed Britain’s Jack Draper to be in the discussion to win all four Grand Slams in 2025. The 22-year-old is already regarded as one of the most talented players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category. He also has the advantage of being a left-hander.

Draper recently participated in the US Open 2024, where he had a fabulous run. His journey in the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year came to an end on Friday as he lost to the world number one Italy’s Jannik Sinner in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 7-6, 6-2.

Former world number one Navratilova, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of women’s tennis in the singles category after having won as many as 18 Grand Slam titles, while speaking to Sky Sports, heaped praise on Draper for his showing a lot of character on the night against the best player in the world. The 67-year-old was of the opinion that the Sutton-born star, who had an incredible run at the Flashing Meadows, if he stays fit, will be in the discussion to win all four Grand Slam titles next season.

"Next year, if he stays healthy, Jack will be in the conversation in every major. That's a really big plus,” she said. "If he keeps playing like this the sky is the limit. It was rough he couldn't compete at his top physical level, because of everything going on in his stomach and his brain. But he still kept it together, and he was in there. Jack gave it absolutely his all, and then some. He looks so calm when he's playing. He's been unbelievably calm. Talking to us, he's so relaxed. The anxiety, he's got to let that out somehow, as it's maybe eating him up and getting to him. Something has to give here, but we don't see it when he's playing. He internalises it that much."