What Should British Expectations Be Ahead of This Year’s Grass Court Season?

By Ben Phillips

The arrival of the British grass court season is always met with intrigue, hope and in many ways, caution. For years, British tennis fans have had to manage their expectations as they approached the brief period where the world’s best tennis players descend upon the lush lawns of Queen’s Club and SW19. However, in 2025, things feel different. Very different.

With a strong group of both male and female British players making waves on the international stage, none more so than world number four Jack Draper, there’s genuine excitement that home fans could be treated to some unforgettable moments this summer. But as expectation rises, so does the question: how far can British hopes realistically go?

Jack Draper: A Real Contender

Jack Draper’s meteoric rise has been the story of British men’s tennis in 2025. His stunning victory at Indian Wells, victories over top 10 players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune, and his gritty five-set battles at Roland Garros have announced the Sutton-born left-hander as a genuine force at the very highest level of the sport. Currently sitting at world number four, a career-high ranking, the 22-year-old is the highest-ranked British male player since Andy Murray’s golden years.

But what makes Draper a serious contender for this grass court season is not just his ranking or recent form, it’s his game style. Possessing a massive lefty serve, razor-sharp forehand, and natural comfort moving on grass, Draper is tailor-made for the surface. His performances at Queen’s in recent years, where he has made a semi-final and quarter-final, have underlined this potential. Expect him to go deep at Queen’s again this year, potentially lifting the trophy if the draw falls kindly.

At Wimbledon, the expectations are understandably high. After a fourth-round appearance last year and continued physical and tactical development, Draper is now considered an outside shot to win the whole thing, a feat that would make him the first British man since Andy Murray in 2016 to do so. But even if a title feels slightly out of reach against the likes of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic (should he return fit), a run to the semi-finals or final would not surprise many.

With Alexander Zverev not in great form, and the possibility of Draper moving into the world’s top three post-Wimbledon, the young Brit could not only cement his reputation as a title threat on grass but also as a future world number one contender.

The Women: Building Momentum

If Draper is leading the charge for British men’s tennis, then a trio of exciting women are ensuring that home expectations on the WTA side are not left behind. Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, and Sonay Kartal are all showing strong signs of form in 2025, and crucially, all three have games well suited to grass.

Katie Boulter: Queen of Confidence

Boulter’s self-belief has been one of the most improved weapons in British tennis. After a breakthrough year in 2024, which included a WTA 250 title on the grass in Nottingham, the Leicester-born player has backed it up in 2025 with consistent tour-level performances. With a win at Roland Garros, a surprise for many considering her preference for quicker surfaces, Boulter has proven she’s tough in long rallies and mentally ready for pressure.

On grass, she’s even more dangerous. Her flat backhand, effective serve, and improved court coverage mean Boulter is a legitimate threat to top 20 players when she’s firing. A potential run to the second week at Wimbledon is not just possible, it should be expected. Her previous best at SW19 is the third round, but this year, the quarterfinals or beyond are realistic targets.

Emma Raducanu: Gaining Momentum Again

Emma Raducanu’s story is well known a US Open title at 18 followed by injuries, inconsistency and off-court pressure. But 2025 has been quietly effective for the 22-year-old. A string of wins on clay (including a solid win at Roland Garros) suggests the Kent player is finding her rhythm again.

On grass, her natural attacking instincts, early ball-striking and smart court sense make her a nightmare first-week opponent. Wimbledon 2021 proved what she can do on the surface when free from expectation, and this time she returns with less media noise and more fitness. A fourth-round appearance would be a big win; anything further and the hype machine may spark into life once again.

Sonay Kartal: The Dark Horse

Perhaps the biggest wildcard is Sonay Kartal. Now inside the world’s top 100 after a title in Tunisia and impressive wins in WTA qualifying rounds, the 23-year-old from Sussex has one of the cleanest ball-striking techniques of any British woman. Her route through the qualifying rounds at Nottingham and Birmingham this season suggests confidence, and her straight-sets demolition of a top 50 player earlier this year shows she’s ready for a breakout.

Kartal’s game fits the grass well, low-bouncing balls, backhand control, and the ability to redirect pace make her a potential second-week surprise at Wimbledon. A second-round target is realistic; beyond that, who knows?

The Historical Significance

Of course, it’s not just about the individuals, it’s about the bigger picture. British tennis on clay has historically struggled for relevance until this year. Roland Garros 2025 marked the first time since 1973 that six British players made it to the second round. For the first time in the Open Era (since 1968), two British men, Draper and Cam Norrie, reached the fourth round in Paris. This change signals that British tennis is finally evolving its training, surfaces and mindset to suit the full tour, not just grass and hard courts.

This improvement matters. Winning matches on clay requires patience, spin control, endurance and clever shot selection, all attributes that translate beautifully onto the lawns of Queen’s and Wimbledon. Draper, Raducanu, Kartal and even Boulter’s clay wins in 2025 suggest that when they return to their home surface, they will do so with added variety and resilience.

The Weight of History

The last British woman to win Wimbledon was Virginia Wade in 1977. The last British man? Andy Murray in 2016. While expectations of a home champion in 2025 are muted (the fields are simply too strong, particularly with Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff at their peaks), what is realistic and important is that British tennis fans enjoy competitive runs.

The men’s side could see Draper make a semi-final or final, with Cam Norrie playing spoiler to seeds in the second week. Boulter and Raducanu have the weapons to reach the second week, and Kartal could easily be the shock story of week one.

These runs matter, not just for headlines, but for the future. Young British players watching Draper or Raducanu make a Centre Court splash are inspired to pick up a racquet. Funding bodies are more likely to invest in grass training camps and clay development projects. Coaches see that British tennis no longer stops being competitive in March and resumes in June; it’s a year-round proposition.

A Season of Growth, Not Perfection

For all the progress, realism is necessary. Wimbledon champions in singles draws remain unlikely. Draper will need to find another level to beat Sinner or Alcaraz in best-of-five sets, and Boulter and Raducanu are still outside the world’s top 20. But their presence deep into tournaments, not their trophies, will be the true victory.

It is also important to remember double potential. Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury remain top threats on the grass, and an unexpected title in mixed or men’s doubles could lift the home mood further.