Liam Broady has jumped to the defence of Jack Draper after it was claimed that the new British No. 1’s rise has been aided by nepotism. The 22-year-old, who won his first ATP singles title this week, is the son of multi-millionaire and former Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) CEO Roger Draper.
Draper Jr defeated Matteo Berrettini to win the Stuttgart Open last week. His triumph has elevated him to world No. 31, making him the top-ranked British player. He has followed it up by beating Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s and is in the best form of his career heading into Wimbledon.
But a tennis blogger and fan going by the name of Pavvy G has claimed that the Sutton-born star had a major helping hand in reaching the position, a suggestion that has caused a row with Broady. Pavvy G accused the LTA of ‘failing’ to support young tennis players who did not have the same resources as Draper.
Pavvy G wrote on social media platform X: “Jack Draper becomes the youngest GB no 1, he’s the son of multi millionaire Roger Draper who was the LTA CEO when Jack was growing up. There were many youngsters more talented than Jack but didn’t have the finance or support to continue. This is where the LTA have really failed.
The post caught the attention of British tennis star Broady, who refuted the claim that others were more talented than Draper.
He argued: “Who were the youngsters that were more talented than Jack growing up? As far as I’m aware Jack was one of the very best in his age group from an early age. Doesn’t sit right with me this tweet as he can’t help what his Dad has, works harder than anybody and is incredibly humble.”
Pavvy G doubled down and continued to blame the LTA for allowing talented players from low-income backgrounds slip out of the system. He told Broady: “I can almost guarantee I speak to more you GB Tennis players then he does [sic].
“I can also tell you the LTA have mismanaged funds and let loads of talented players from low income families leave the sport.”
Broady countered: “I’m not sure about this Pavvy as I’m a players’ rep for the British men this year. I also train at the national tennis centre. I’m not disagreeing with the point of letting down players from low income backgrounds at all btw, but it’s not right to use Jack to make the point.”
After beating Alcaraz, Draper insisted he has worked hard ‘for years’. He said: “Even though it’s come together in the last sort of two weeks, this is not overnight.
“This is years of doing it. So, really happy with how it’s come together the last couple of weeks, as you said, especially at this time on the grass in front of home crowds, and hopefully I can carry on this momentum and keep on building.”