French Open 2025: 'Exceptional' Jack Draper 'definitely in the conversation' to win Roland-Garros ahead of Joao Fonseca match, says Tim Henman
Published 30/05/2025 at 22:15 GMT+1
Jack Draper's French Open campaign continues on Saturday as he faces rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca in the third round. Tim Henman says Draper was "so impressive" in his last match against Gael Monfils and is in the mix to challenge at the Grand Slam in Paris. Draper won his only previous meeting against Fonseca at Indian Wells earlier this year.
Draper beats 'magical' Monfils in four sets on Philippe-Chatrier debut
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Tim Henman believes Jack Draper is "definitely in the conversation" to win the French Open and could be a "massive star of the future", along with third-round opponent Joao Fonseca.
British No. 1 Draper has soared to No. 5 in the ATP rankings after a superb first half of the season.
He won Indian Wells, reached the final in Madrid, and, in his latest match, impressively dispatched home favourite Gael Monfils in the second round of the French Open.
"The way he played last night was so impressive," said TNT Sports expert Henman.
"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."
John McEnroe said after Draper's win over Monfils that he would be "surprised" if the 23-year-old failed to win "multiple" Grand Slams.
Draper’s next challenge in Paris is 18-year-old Fonseca.
The Brazilian is one of the rising stars of the sport and has plenty of hype and excitement around him.
"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."
Draper dropped just four games when he faced Fonseca for the first time earlier this year in Indian Wells.
If he can beat Fonseca again then he would face either qualifier Henrique Rocha or world No. 62 Alexander Bublik in the last 16.
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A clash with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner could then await in the quarter-finals.
Henman believes Draper could have an opportunity against Sinner, who is playing just his second tournament after returning from a three-month doping ban.
"I think it's a good time to play Sinner," said Henman.
"He’s only had one tournament in three months and although he's looked very good here, if Jack were to go up against him and really get into a dogfight that goes four or five sets, then with Jack's match fitness, I think that would be an advantage."
Sinner faces world No. 34 Jiri Lehecka in the third round.
Stream the 2025 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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