Showdowns for British dominance at Wimbledon as leading male and female players go head-to-head
- Planet Sport writer
- 3 July 2024
Thursday action at Wimbledon will see two all-British men and female matches take place in a battle for UK supremacy on home turf.
General election day at the All England Club sees British number ones Jack Draper and Katie Boulter going head to head with familiar opposition.
Draper takes on Cameron Norrie, whom he succeeded as Britain's premier male player, while Boulter locks horns with the nation's number two female, Harriet Dart.
There is also young pretender Jacob Fearnley, who meets the seven-time winner Novak Djokovic on Centre Court, and Andy Murray, who plays doubles with brother Jamie.
Whichever way the results go, Britain will have at least two players in the third round.
"It was obviously tough for Andy to pull out (of the singles) so that will be great that he's playing doubles with Jamie," said Draper.
"Obviously me and Cam's match, that will be a good match to watch. And Jacob playing Djokovic.
"There's a few guys who have gone to university that I spent lots of times with when I was younger. Jacob Fearnley is one of those.
"I think he'll be someone who rises up very quickly in the rankings. I think it will be interesting to see how he gets on against Djokovic. I think he's an amazing player and a good guy, too.
"Obviously Katie, playing incredible tennis. She backed up her title at Nottingham, won on Tuesday. I think it will be a great day, for sure."
Fearnley opens Centre Court against the 24-time grand slam champion while Boulter and Dart are first up on Court One, followed by Draper and Norrie.
Andy and Jaime Murray will then close proceedings on Centre when they take on Australian duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.
General election day at the All England Club sees British number ones Jack Draper and Katie Boulter going head to head with familiar opposition.
Draper takes on Cameron Norrie, whom he succeeded as Britain's premier male player, while Boulter locks horns with the nation's number two female, Harriet Dart.
There is also young pretender Jacob Fearnley, who meets the seven-time winner Novak Djokovic on Centre Court, and Andy Murray, who plays doubles with brother Jamie.
Whichever way the results go, Britain will have at least two players in the third round.
"It was obviously tough for Andy to pull out (of the singles) so that will be great that he's playing doubles with Jamie," said Draper.
"Obviously me and Cam's match, that will be a good match to watch. And Jacob playing Djokovic.
"There's a few guys who have gone to university that I spent lots of times with when I was younger. Jacob Fearnley is one of those.
"I think he'll be someone who rises up very quickly in the rankings. I think it will be interesting to see how he gets on against Djokovic. I think he's an amazing player and a good guy, too.
"Obviously Katie, playing incredible tennis. She backed up her title at Nottingham, won on Tuesday. I think it will be a great day, for sure."
Fearnley opens Centre Court against the 24-time grand slam champion while Boulter and Dart are first up on Court One, followed by Draper and Norrie.
Andy and Jaime Murray will then close proceedings on Centre when they take on Australian duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.
