Jack Draper has claimed Andy Murray’s achievement of reaching the second week of 26 consecutive Grand Slams is “ridiculous” and “mind blowing”.
The British No.1 will face world No.39 Tomas Machac at the US Open on Monday after reaching the fourth round here for the second time in a row.
But starting at the 2011 Australian Open, the Scot got to at least the same stage in every Major he played until he missed the 2017 US Open with his hip injury.
During that time, Murray won three Grand Slam titles – including his first at the 2012 US Open – and reached another six finals.
And at the first Major since the double Olympic champion retired in Paris, the No.25 seed said: “It is ridiculous. Andy in my opinion will go down as one of the greatest players of all time. And that’s exactly why.
“It’s all good and well doing something once or twice, but you achieve greatness when you’re consistent and Andy’s one of those guys who is incredibly consistent, making finals and statistics that are just mind-blowing.
“Same with Novak Djokovic and those other guys. When I do think of Andy, a lot of people think of his big successes, but the fact he was so consistent and even making fourth round in a Grand Slam, final, quarter finals, it’s a huge achievement because you’re putting your mind and body through so much.
“It’s tough out there, it’s hot, it’s long matches, it’s great opponents. I’m full of respect and admiration for Andy, and I suppose there’s a reason why his body has taken a toll because he’s obviously had that consistency and put his mind and his body through so much.
“He’s obviously gone on to achieve amazing things as well. I have that in mind that if I can just keep on going and keep on pushing myself, then I’m going toe be hopefully having the type of successes that he’s had.”
After the early exit of Djokovic, this will also be the first year that none of the Big Three have won a Grand Slam title since 2002.
Carlos Alcaraz – who has also been knocked out of Draper’s now wide-open section of the draw – and world No.1 Jannik Sinner have already won Majors.
And Draper wants to join them. “I feel a really big opportunity if I stay injury free and if I keep working hard on my body and having the experiences that I’m having playing week in week out, I’m full of confidence that I will be able to get to that top level,” he said.
“It’s just kind of making sure I’m doing all the right things for my mind and my body and being as professional as possible, because my game’s there. I’m working hard all the time to be better, and don’t feel like I’m too far away.
“So I have just got to keep working, and hopefully over time that level will come and the results will come as well and I can be right at the top of the game with those guys.”
If he beats Machac, he would face the winner of the Aussie derby between world No.10 Alex de Minaur – who knocked out Dan Evans – or world No.32 Jordan Thompson in the last eight.
But the dangerous Machac beat Draper in their previous ATP Tour-level meeting in Geneva in May – and the Czech also beat Djokovic in the semi-final. “I showed myself that I have this kind of level sometimes,” said the world No.39.
Yet Draper, who has reached the last 16 without dropping a set and losing his serve only once, insisted: “I feel like I can play better. I feel positive. I feel happy. Hopefully I can keep going.”
