The mannequin professional destined for Wimbledon glory: How Indian Wells winner Jack Draper grew to become inheritor to Andy Murray’s throne – mixed together with his cover-star seems to be – and the REAL cause he stays single amid Emma Raducanu hyperlinks

Jack Draper‘s career ascended to new heights on Sunday night as he won his maiden Masters title at Indian Wells.

The Brit, 23, thumped Danish star Holger Rune in straight sets, just 24 hours after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. It was the latest positive step in what has been an impressive 12 months for Draper, who has now risen to a career high No 7 in the world rankings. 

There was a first ATP title at the Stuttgart Open last June, something that earned him the British No 1 spot.  At the US Open in September, he then became the first Brit since Andy Murray in 2012 to reach the semi-finals at the tournament, while he also took glory at the Vienna Open in October.

In fact, following his triumph on Sunday, Rennae Stubbs, a five-time Grand Slam winner and former coach of Serena Williams, made a bold claim surrounding Draper and his potential.

‘Jack Draper is going to win Wimbledon!’, she posted on X, before she added: ‘Got to make the call early.’

But, it’s not just on court where Draper, who has become the heir to Murray’s throne, is making headlines. The 23-year-old, who hails from Sutton in South London, is also making waves off court, as he embarks on a thriving modelling career.

Draper is seen by many as a heartthrob and the affection towards him has been increased by the sharing of plenty of stylish shots on his Instagram page, where his follower count has risen to 322,000 – up from 174,000 before the US Open.

But, his rise off the court has been a long time coming, with Draper having been signed to IMG models, the same agency that represents the likes of Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum and Alek Wek, at the age of 18.

Draper has regularly conducted shoots for a variety of brands, something that has seen him secure lucrative partnership deals with Nike, Vodafone and Dunlop among others.

However, his work has also seen him recognised by Vogue, the most iconic British fashion magazine. 

Last June, he had his first shoot with the outlet and said: ‘I quite enjoy being in front of the camera. If I’m looking good, that is.’

This work has also seen Draper build an unlikely relationship with Anna Wintour, Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, arguably the most powerful woman in fashion.

In fact, Wintour watched Draper in action during his run to the US Open semi-finals last September and at the time, the Brit opened up on his budding friendship with her.

‘It was amazing to have her here,’ he said.  ‘I met her for the first time the other day and she seemed really lovely. She said to me how much she loves tennis. 

‘I don’t know too much about my fashion yet, but she was saying how much she loves coming to the US Open and hopefully she will be here for me further on in the tournament.’

In that shoot with Vogue, Draper was snapped on a field of daisies gazing into the camera sporting his carefully styled curly brown hair and showing off his sharp jawline. 

In another picture, he was shown looking off to the side, leaning against a vibrant red wall with his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

Meanwhile, at London Fashion Week in September, Draper was sat next to Wintour on the front row at the Burberry Show, highlighting his rise over recent months, while he was also joined by star athletes Katrina Johnson-Thompson and Keely Hodgkinson. 

Speaking on Wintour shortly afterwards, he added: ‘She’s really supportive. It was amazing to see that (the fashion) world.’

Meanwhile, last August, Draper appeared on the cover of Tatler magazine alongside tennis players Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie.

He was also chosen to go on the first ever issue of Bagel, a new tennis magazine that launched last summer.

Looking dapper in a blue 90s style Nike sweatshirt and a pair of black shorts, Draper posed on a court, showing off his toned legs and sturdy build.

Despite his rise in the modelling world, Draper has previously admitted that it is something he doesn’t necessarily relish.

Speaking to the Times earlier this year, he said: ‘All this model stuff, I like doing it at time, but I’m not a massive fan of it in all honesty, (but I make exceptions for) really cool (projects).’

He later added: ‘I did some stuff I wasn’t actually comfortable with at the time (at a younger age),’ when reflecting on an early shoot where he posed with his shirt off and his hair in a side parting. 

‘They’re great photos, don’t get me wrong, but if I was to go back in time I should have been more educated.’

Draper’s more laid back nature has been evident elsewhere when he previously  insisted his agent Ben, who is his brother, is keen for him to post more on social media to boost his profile and give fans further insight into his life.

However, the 23-year-old, who has been hailed for his humble nature, has previously admitted that he ‘doesn’t like showing people too much’.

Nevertheless, despite Draper’s huge early successes in the game and as a model, the 6ft 4ins star has revealed he remains single.

Draper himself has tried to explain why, pointing to the fact he is ‘always on the road’, adding: ‘Always playing, always training. It’s tough to sustain any form of relationship.’ 

He has previously insisted that ‘I like to have my fun, obviously’, before highlighting the travel, focus and discipline needed to hone his talent.

In the aforementioned interview with the Times, Draper also said finding a partner is not currently his priority.

‘The most important thing to me right now is becoming the best tennis player I can be,’ he explained. ‘Especially the way the world is at the moment with all that [app] stuff. 

‘I’d rather meet someone out of genuine, almost coincidence, or when I’m focused on something else.’

Given Draper’s single status alongside another British tennis star in Emma Raducanu, 22, some fans have often yearned for the pair to become a super-couple in the sport.

However, despite their close relationship, which goes back to their years growing up and coming through the tennis ranks, they are firmly just friends.

‘She has always been there for me,’ Draper recently recalled about Raducanu. ‘I’ve always been there for her. 

‘She’s extremely bubbly, very kind, very thoughtful, always giggling, really smart. A really, really, really good girl.’

For now, Draper’s attention turns to the Miami Open, which gets underway later this week.

The schedule shows no signs of letting up, but it is clear that the biggest star in British tennis – who insists he’s ‘not trying to be the next Andy Murray’ – is shining brightly both on and off the court.