Major Breakthrough Matter of Time

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, September 6, 2024
Photo credit: Garrett Ellwood/US Open/USTA

NEW YORK—In his maiden major semifinal, a gritty Jack Draper lost his lunch on court.

Draper’s appetite for major achievement remains undiminished.

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The 25th-seeded Draper vomited on court a few times during his 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 US Open semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner today.

World No. 1 Sinner made history as the first Italian man to reach the US Open final. 

Afterward, Australian Open champion Sinner said Draper, his doubles partner at the Canadian Open, can contend for majors in the future. 

“I mean, his ball striking and choosing the right shots in the right time. You know, there are some feelings you have with certain players, and he is one of them, I feel like,” Sinner said. “Everyone has his own time and way and path.

“But I’m quite sure, because I know that he’s potentially winning some big titles in the future, because he’s a tough player to play against, he has a great attitude on the court, he’s working hard. These are all things together which, yeah, which is great to see, no?”

A year ago, Draper was ranked No. 123 when he arrived in New York and battled into the US Open fourth round.

An inspired Draper did not drop a set en route to his maiden major semifinal at this US Open.

While Draper succumbed to Sinner and illness tonight, he believes he’s on the right path to challenging for a Grand Slam title as he gains more experience.

“I think honestly, I don’t think I need to do anything different. I think it’s just a matter of time,” Draper told the media. “You know, I think I’m constantly trying to improve. I’ve got great people around me, I’m doing all the right things.

“Like I said yesterday, when I came here last year I was 120 in the world, barely played the whole season. You know, I think I’ll be leaving here this week top 20. You know, having continued to achieve, you know, things that I’m breaking new barriers down the whole time of what I think is possible.”

The 25th-seeded Draper, who defeated Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s Club last June, rises to a new career-high ranking of No. 20 after this wondrous US Open run and believes the best is yet to come.

“I don’t think anything’s going to just, oh, I need to do this and that’s going to help. I think it’s more just keep on doing what I’m doing,” Draper said. “Experience for someone like Jannik or Carlos or some of these young players, you know, they’ve been on the tour for about three or four years now, constantly playing, constantly learning, constantly taking wins and losses and experiencing losing in the quarters or semis of a Grand Slam.

“This is my first proper year, I’d say, because of all my injuries and all my setbacks, so I’m a few years behind almost.”