Tennis News

Draper: ‘I’m breaking barriers of what I think is possible’

Jack Draper lost a hard-fought battle to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the US Open on Friday. But he was happy with his run in New York and had positive takeaways from his first semi-final at a Grand Slam tournament, despite the 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2.

“When I came here last year I was 120 in the world, barely played the whole season. I think I’ll be leaving here this week Top 20,” he said. “I’m breaking new barriers down the whole time of what I think is possible.”

The 22-year-old Brit had not dropped a set before the semi-finals. He became the first man since Daniil Medvedev in 2020 to do so. Despite battling the pressure and New York’s muggy conditions, he left everything on the court, even as he struggled physically against the World No. 1.

“I think it was obviously a very physical match. Obviously, that’s why Jannik is the No. 1 player in the world because when you play the top players, the intensity is different… it’s a step up,” he shared.

“I think obviously it’s a big occasion for me. I definitely felt more excited today, a few more nerves around.”

Visibly hampered by the conditions on Arthur Ashe, he vomited thrice during the match and received a medical timeout in the second set. The Brit acknowledged that the pressure contributed to his physical discomfort, but that the thought of tapping out of the match didn’t enter his mind.

“No, no, no, I’m not going to retire in the semis of a Grand Slam,” he said. “I know the last set, it probably looked liked from courtside or on TV that it was not a great look. But at the end of the day, I always try and give my best

“I’m definitely someone who is, I think, quite an anxious human being. I think when you add all that together sometimes I do feel a bit nausea on court, and I do feel a little bit sick when it gets tough.

“I didn’t have any problems before the match, but it obviously just built up.”

After the match, Draper was all praise for his good friend Sinner, who will play for his second Grand Slam title of the season against American No. 20 Frances Tiafoe or No. 12 Taylor Fritz. The 22-year-old had won their only previous meeting at the cinch Championships in 2021.

“Jannik’s got huge experience already. The reason why he’s No. 1 in the world (and) barely losing matches is because he’s so consistent. His intensity, his ball speed, he has barely got any weaknesses, and he’s just able to be there point by point and raise his level when he needs to.

“Mentally, physically, emotionally, everything’s constantly improving, and he’s rock solid in all areas. He’s tough to beat.”

After an inspiring run to the semi-finals, Draper has risen to a career-high No. 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings. He became the first Brit to reach the semi-finals of the US Open since Andy Murray clinched the title in 2012.

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Sickness 'worst feeling' but Slam success close – Draper

Jack Draper says being sick on court in his US Open semi-final defeat was “the worst feeling ever”, but Grand Slam success is “just a matter of time”.

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Sinner takes 'wait-and-see' approach with wrist

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner may be in for a restless sleep tonight after advancing Friday to the US Open final.

But it won’t be the nerves of contending for his second Grand Slam title of the season that are likely to put him into a cold sweat. Wondering how his wrist will feel in the morning after a mid-match fall during his straight-sets win over Jack Draper will be his major concern.

At 4-all in the second set Sinner extended his left arm to cushion his fall to the court. He looked in discomfort after the tumble and received treatment from the physio at the change of ends.

In his post-match press conference, Sinner said that he was not in too much distress as he continued the match, but would reserve judgment on whether he had escaped serious damage until he woke up Saturday morning.

“The physio loosened it up very fast on court, so after I felt okay in the beginning. Then after it went away by playing, which is good,” Sinner said.

“Let’s see how it is tomorrow when it’s cold. It’s gonna be a different feeling. Hopefully is nothing to concern about. I’m quite relaxed, because if it’s something bad, you feel it straightaway a bit more.”

Sinner will face the winner of tonight’s semi-final between Americans Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe.

Asked to weigh in on his potential opponent, Sinner spoke first of Fritz. “Well, big serve. Very solid player from the back of the court. He can hit strong. He can hit with rotation. He can mix up the game very well. He has played a lot this year, so he has a lot of rhythm of the match.

“If it’s Frances, we just played the final in Cincinnati. He’s a very good mover, a good serve also. He can mix up the game with the slice. You know, he’s coming a little bit more to the net than Taylor.

“So it’s a bit slightly different two players, but yeah, I’m just looking forward for Sunday, and then we see how it goes.”

Regardless of whom he meets, Sinner knows that his opponent will have overwhelming support from New York fans.

“Whoever I play, being in America for sure the crowd will be a little bit more on their side.

“But it’s normal. It’s like when I play in Italy, so I’m gonna accept that. I have my team and my people who are close to me. In my mind, I know that there are many people watching from home from Italy, and it’s just take some support from them.”

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Sick Draper loses to Sinner in dramatic US Open semi-final

Britain’s Jack Draper vomits on court during a dramatic US Open semi-final defeat by world number one Jannik Sinner.

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Sabalenka takes on Pegula and crowd in US Open final

Aryna Sabalenka will have to deal with a boisterous New York crowd when she faces home hope Jessica Pegula in Saturday’s US Open final.

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Draper to lead GB Davis Cup squad after US Open

US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper leads Great Britain’s squad which is bidding to reach the Davis Cup finals.

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Paralympic gold 'stuff of dreams' for Hewett & Reid

Alfie Hewett wins his first Paralympics gold medal, partnering Gordon Reid to victory in the wheelchair tennis men’s doubles in Paris.

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Kichenok wins doubles title after postponing wedding

Lyudmyla Kichenok wins the US Open women’s doubles title with Jelena Ostapenko – just two days after postponing her wedding to continue competing.

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British teen Stojsavljevic reaches US Open junior final

Teenager Mika Stojsavljevic underlines her potential by becoming only the fifth British youngster to reach the US Open junior final.

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How the Genoa Challenger overcame tragedy to propel Tstisipas & more

The Italian city of Genoa endured a horrific tragedy in 2018, when the iconic Ponte Morandi partially collapsed following a torrential rainstorm. As vehicles fell into the Polcevera River, 43 people lost their lives.

While sports may seem insignificant in the face of such devastation, they can serve as an important outlet for those to combat grief. Such is the case with the ATP Challenger Tour event held in the heart of Genoa.

Three weeks after the 2018 tragedy, the Genoa Challenger provided a moment of inspiration as the city continued to mourn and rebuild. It was a memorable moment in the face of adversity. Home hero Lorenzo Sonego was crowned champion that week in front of a full crowd.

^{The Ponte Morandi bridge collapsed in August 2018. Credit: Andrea Leoni/AFP via Getty Images}

Sonego, then 23, triumphed on the red clay to make his Top 100 debut in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Turin native returned to Genoa the following year and successfully defended his title.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this week, the AON Open Challenger has featured seven champions who have climbed inside the Top 25, including Sonego.

In 2017, a Greek wild card with wavy blonde hair won the title without dropping a set. You guessed it, 11-time tour-level titlist Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was 19 years old and ranked No. 161 when he claimed the trophy. The following year, Tsitsipas won the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

“It was pretty special and something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time,” Tsitsipas said after winning in Genoa. “It was a relief for me at the end.”

The 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion’s triumph in Genoa marks his lone title on the ATP Challenger Tour.

Former World No. 9 Fabio Fognini captured a pair of titles in Genoa (2008, 2010). Last year, Fognini returned to the tournament for the first time in 13 years and treated the home crowd to a run to the final.

The city’s premier sporting event, which takes centre stage during the first week of September, won Challenger Of The Year honours in 2014. It is a sight to behold year after year. Akin to the Foro Italico in Rome, the venue features parasol pine trees surrounding the main stadium and ampitheatre-style seating.

But the ATP Challenger Tour 125 event has been much more than high-level players competing for rankings points and prize money. The Genoa tournament has provided a source of comfort in times of need, whether it was shortly after the Ponte Morandi bridge collapse or in 2016, when all proceeds went to victims of a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck central Italy.

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