Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Friday, September 6, 2024
Photo credit: Garrett Ellwood/US Open/USTA
NEW YORK—In his first semifinal, the gritty Jack Draper he lost his lunch in court.
Draper’s desire for greater success remains the same.
More: Downed by Djokovic in What Went Wrong
The 25th-seeded Draper vomited on the court several times during his 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 US Open semifinal loss. 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 Canadian Open doubles partner, could compete in the majors in the future.
“I mean his ball hitting and choosing the right shots at the right time. You know, there are certain feelings you have about certain players, and you’re one of them, I feel like that,” said Sinner. “Everyone has their own time and way and way.
“But I am sure, because I know that he may win big titles in the future, because he is a difficult player to play with, he has a good spirit on the field, he works hard. , yes, which is good to see, no?”
Last year, Draper was ranked No. 123 when he arrived in New York and fought his way into the fourth round of the US Open.
An inspired Draper did not drop a set en route to his first US Open semifinal.
Although Draper succumbed to Sinner and illness tonight, he believes he is on the right track to challenge for a Grand Slam title as he gains more experience.
“I honestly think, 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 always trying to improve. I have great people around me, I’m doing all the right things.
“Like I said yesterday, when I got here last year I was 120 in the world, I didn’t play all season. You know, I think I’m going to come out of here this week in the Top 20. You know, as you’ve continued to be successful, you know, things that break new barriers every time I think are possible. “
The 25th-seeded Draper, who defeated Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s Club last June, rises to a new career high of No.
“I don’t think it’s going to be, oh, I need to do this and that’s going to help. I think it’s more of just continuing to do what I’m doing,” Draper said. “The experience of someone like Jannik or Carlos or some of these young players, you know, they have been on tour for three or four years, playing regularly, learning regularly, winning and losing and losing in the quarters. or Grand Slam semis.
“This is my first proper year, I would say, because of all my injuries and all my setbacks, so I have a few years left probably.”
