Sat Jul 05 18:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Draper’s Wimbledon Dream Cut Short by Resurgent Cilic
**Wimbledon, England** – British tennis hopeful Jack Draper’s Wimbledon campaign ended in the second round after a 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 defeat to veteran Marin Cilic. The loss came as a disappointment to fans who had high expectations for the young Brit after his impressive rise in the rankings and recent victory at Indian Wells.
Cilic, a former Wimbledon finalist (2017), proved too strong for Draper, showcasing a powerful serve and formidable forehand. The Croat, who recently won a grass-court tournament in Nottingham after recovering from a knee injury, appeared rejuvenated and dominated much of the match.
Draper admitted to struggling with his game and acknowledged Cilic’s superior performance. “I just didn’t play good enough today. I lost to a better player,” he said, reflecting on the challenges of competing at the highest level. He expressed admiration for Andy Murray’s past Wimbledon successes, highlighting the difficulty of navigating the pressures of the tournament.
While Draper briefly rallied in the third set, Cilic maintained his composure and regained control in the fourth, sealing the victory with a decisive break of serve. Cilic described his comeback as “incredible”, saying it has been a long journey and testing period.
Despite the defeat, Draper remains optimistic, viewing the experience as a valuable lesson. “It highlighted a lot of areas of my game which I need to continue to improve on if I want to be consistently a top player.” He believes the loss will motivate him to work harder and refine his skills for future Grand Slam events.
First Piper 