Jack Draper faced the biggest match of his career at the 2024 US Open, but it didn’t go as planned.
On Friday evening, he stepped into Arthur Ashe Stadium for his first Grand Slam semi-final. Across the net stood Jannik Sinner, the World No. 1 player.
Sinner’s experience showed throughout the match . Draper kept up in the first set, losing 5-7, but struggled more in the second set and even got sick on court.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| gb Jack Draper | 22 | 1,131 | 13 - 12 |
Match Highlights:
Ultimately, Sinner won in three sets, ending Draper’s impressive run at the tournament. Afterward, Draper discussed his health issues and how they affected his performance.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously it was extremely humid today. Hasn’t been pretty much the whole week as of yet. You know, I think it was obviously a very physical match.”
Draper acknowledged Sinner’s skill and explained that playing against such a top player required intense effort.
“Obviously that’s why Jannik is the No. 1 player in the world because when you play the top players, the intensity is different. You know, it’s a step up.”
Fans might think that Draper’s effort was commendable despite his loss.
The pressure of playing in a major semi-final for the first time also weighed on him.
“I think obviously it’s a big occasion for me. I definitely felt more excited today; a few more nerves around.”
Ranked World No. 25 and soon to rise to Top 20 in ATP Rankings, Draper admitted he’s usually anxious which contributed to how he felt during this crucial match.
“I’m definitely someone who is quite an anxious human being…I do feel a bit nausea on court when it gets tough.”
Despite losing and feeling unwell during this important match, Draper sees this experience as positive and hopes to handle similar situations better next time.
What do you think? Will Draper bounce back stronger?
