BBC pundit John McEnroe has issued a stark warning to Jack Draper following the British player's unexpected Wimbledon exit, cautioning that his defensive playing style could lead to physical problems similar to those plaguing Daniil Medvedev.
The American tennis legend expressed concern after Draper's 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-4 defeat to Marin Cilic on Court 1, despite entering the tournament as fourth seed and a title contender.
McEnroe highlighted how Medvedev's strategy of standing far behind the baseline has caught up with him both mentally and physically during what should be the Russian's peak years.
He warned that Draper faces the same fate if he doesn't adjust his approach to the game, with Draper's tactical approach called into question.
Jack Draper crashed out of Wimbledon on Thurrsday
GETTY
“He’s [Draper] six foot four, I don’t think he’s got an ounce of fat on him, it’s not like he can’t volley - he certainly can," he said.
"I think he will make that adjustment. It’ll be interesting to see if he changes things up on the hard courts, how he approaches that.
“Take Daniil Medvedev, I think it caught up, he’s the guy that started that whole thing, standing way back. I think it’s catching up to him mentally and physically.
JUST IN: Diogo Jota's physio firmly denies rumour about Liverpool star after tragic death aged 28
BBC pundit John McEnroe has issued a stark warning to Jack Draper following the British player's unexpected Wimbledon exit, cautioning that his defensive playing style could lead to physical problems similar to those plaguing Daniil Medvedev
GETTY
“When you’re winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 - how much more was [Aleksandar] Vukic running than Sinner just now? It seemed like twice at much. How much did [Novak] Djokovic make poor Dan Evans run today? He was running side to side.
“Medvedev was running more than guys he was beating in three sets. At some point that catches up to you. I think that will happen with Jack if he’s not careful. He’s got to be aware of that.
"He’s got enough overall ability. He’s got to mix it up more and accept that and actually embrace it. He can and I believe he will.”
READ MORE:Diogo Jota phone call details emerge after heartbreaking death of Liverpool star
McEnroe had tipped Draper to challenge for Wimbledon.
He remains a huge fan of the Briton, despite his early exit from the prestigious competition.
“He’s done great,” McEnroe added. “He’s got to four in the world. If I was looking from a distance at Jack, I was like: ‘Why’s he standing so far back all the time?’
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
"Especially on hard courts, even on clay. Is he quick enough to cover? Is he fit enough to do that consistently? Is that what he wants to do - wear people down that way? Forehand has gotten way bigger.
“But to me at Wimbledon you’ve got to cut off some of these angles. You can’t allow yourself because it’s tougher to make those quick first steps.
"Jack needs to lean look what [Taylor] Fritz did, his first couple of rounds against [Gabriel] Diallo and [Giovanni] Mpetshi Perricard. He’s standing at the baseline on 150mph serves.
Jack Draper failed to live up to expectations at Wimbledon this year
GETTY
“Jack Draper, first round against Sebastian Baez, was standing 10ft behind the baseline on his second serve. He’s got more room but I don’t think in the long run that’s the way he wants to play it at Wimbledon.
“I also think he’s a big, strapping, fit guy, he’s got skills at net and he’s got this lefty serve. People say that’s an advantage Clare [Balding] - you’ve got to go with it. Get into net more, serve and volley more often.
“I know I sound like a dinosaur, ‘that’s what they did before the courts were changed!’ but I think he could be really effective even if he did it a third of the time, not a 10th of the time.”
Most Read
