Britain Makes a Statement on Court: Draper’s Run and Doubles Triumph in Doha
British tennis fans had quite a February to cheer about. At the center of attention was Jack Draper, who powered through a tough field at the Qatar Open to make his fifth ATP final. Draper wasn’t just making up the numbers either—he dropped seasoned players like Alexei Popyrin, Christopher O’Connell, former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, and promising Czech Jiri Lehecka to earn his shot at the title. Across those matches, Draper showed off a mix of stubborn defense and heavy firepower, setting up a mouthwatering final with the experienced Andrey Rublev.
The final itself turned into a real three-set marathon. Draper came out fighting but narrowly lost the first set 7-5. He battled back with grit to claim the second 7-5, proving he could handle Rublev’s relentless pace. In the decider, Rublev found another gear and pulled away for a 6-1 finish. Even with the loss, Draper’s gutsy showing landed him a new career-high world ranking of No.12 and left many wondering just how far his star could rise in the next few months—especially with the high-profile US hardcourt swing at Indian Wells and Miami on the horizon. For now, Draper has decided to skip Dubai, focusing instead on recovery and prepping for those next big tournaments.
Doubles Success and a Rising Generation
Singles headlines are all well and good, but British tennis had even more reason to celebrate in the doubles draw. Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, both left out in the cold by the typical elite doubles spotlight, scored their third ATP title as a pair. In fact, their run in Doha came with extra sizzle: they beat fellow Brits Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski in a convincing 6-3, 6-2 rout. An all-British ATP doubles final doesn’t come around often—this was only the third time it’s happened in the Open Era, and it’s the first time it’s ever happened outside British soil, which gives the win added historical significance.
Cash and Glasspool are building quite a track record together, racking up titles in Tokyo, Brisbane, and now Doha within a short period. Their chemistry is sparking right when British men’s doubles seems to be enjoying a unique moment—Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, both established world-class players, haven’t often found themselves as the second-best Brits on a given day. All this proof points to British tennis tapping into a deep vein of teamwork and friendly rivalry, fueling both sides.
But it wasn’t just the ATP crowd getting in on the act. Young Oliver Bonding put his name on the trophy for the first time in his career, a big milestone. While the specifics of the tournament remain under the radar, the victory signals a promising future for Bonding in the British tennis landscape. Then, in women’s competition, the partnership of Shuker and Pauline Deroulede claimed a doubles title with a 6-3, 6-4 win, adding their names to the growing roll of British success stories. Lastly, the pairing of Slade and Wagner fell just short in their own doubles final, but a runner-up finish at international level still speaks volumes.
From singles to doubles and across age brackets, British tennis is capturing momentum it hasn’t seen for years. Whether it’s Draper’s relentless rise, Cash and Glasspool’s growing chemistry, or the next generation grabbing their first taste of silverware, the country’s players look ready to make waves on the world stage all season long.
