Oh I say! Meet hunky British wildcard Jack Draper, 19, who will battle Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon

Staring moodily into the camera, this is the teenager who will be flying the flag for Britain as Wimbledon gets under way for the first time in two years on Monday. 

Jack Draper, 19, has secured the dream – or perhaps the nightmare – draw, opening the 134th championships on Centre Court against the defending champion, world number one and top seed, Novak Djokovic. 

Draper, from Leatherhead in Surrey, said after yesterday’s draw: ‘I’m very excited. Looking forward to getting out there.’ 

He may be grateful to play on Centre Court not just because of its status, but also because of its retractable roof, with washout conditions forecast for the start of the week. 

Staring moodily into the camera, this Jack Draper, 19, who will be flying the flag for Britain as Wimbledon gets under way for the first time in two years on Monday

Wimbledon was abandoned last year because of Covid – and crowds will be restricted to 50 per cent of normal capacity until the final. 

Monday’s match could hardly be more daunting with Djokovic, 34, favourite to retain the men’s singles trophy. 

The Serb now has 19 grand slam titles, and is aiming this fortnight to equal the career totals of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. 

After winning the Australian and French Opens, Djokovic, pictured, is on course to win all four grand slams in a calendar year – Rod Laver was the last man to achieve that feat in 1969. 

Monday’s match could hardly be more daunting with Novak Djokovic, 34, favourite to retain the men’s singles trophy 

Draper is seen as the nearest thing to a longterm male successor to Sir Andy Murray when it comes to a British standard-bearer. 

His father, Roger, used to be chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, and his mother, Nicki, was an outstanding British junior player before becoming a coach. 

His brother, Ben, has just graduated on a tennis scholarship from the University of California at Berkeley. 

Draper is seen as the nearest thing to a longterm male successor to Sir Andy Murray when it comes to a British standard-bearer (pictured, playing the Boys’ Singles Final at Wimbledon in 2018)

Draper, No 250 in the world, beat players in the top 40 last week to make the quarter-finals at the Queen’s Club Championship in London. 

Another fascinating draw will see Yorkshire’s Francesca Jones, 20, make her Wimbledon singles debut against US star Coco Gauff, 17. 

Jones has overcome considerable difficulties to make it as a professional. She was born with only six fingers and seven toes.