British sensation Jack Draper’s incredible journey at the U.S. Open took a monumental leap forward on Wednesday as he clinched his maiden Grand Slam semi-final spot, marking a historic moment for the 25th seed.
The young Brit’s triumphant march at Flushing Meadows hit a new high when he defeated Alex de Minaur, securing his place in the last four and becoming the first British man to reach the U.S. Open semi-finals since Andy Murray’s 2012 run.
According to a news report published by CNA, Draper, who has been in the shadows until now, has exploded onto the scene with a string of impressive victories. The 22-year-old, who had never advanced beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam, has only one ATP Tour title to his name and spent a significant part of 2023 battling a shoulder injury.
Jack Draper’s turning point
Reflecting on his journey, Draper shared, “Last year was a real turning point for me. I had to watch all these young, amazing players winning tournaments while I was sidelined with my shoulder injury. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough to get to that level myself. But this success hasn’t come overnight. I’ve believed for a long time that I’ve been putting in the work and doing the right things. I knew my time would come.”
Draper’s perfect record at the U.S. Open this year, with five wins and not a single set lost, speaks volumes of his form and determination. Yet, he remains confident in his ability to compete over the full five sets, should the need arise. “I’ve been feeling like a more complete player. Physically, I’ve always had concerns about playing five sets, but I’m ready to go the distance if I need to,” he added.
Etching a name in British tennis history
The road to the final is far from easy, with Draper set to face either Jannik Sinner, the Australian Open champion, or Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 U.S. Open winner, in the semi-finals.
Draper has experience against both players, having beaten Sinner on grass in 2021 and lost to Medvedev at the Italian Open earlier this year. “Playing both of them before helps. When I faced Daniil in Rome, I didn’t know what to expect. Playing the best players in the world, you think they’ll be too good for you. But if you put your game on the court and do the right things, you get chances,” Draper noted.
As the U.S. Open semi-finals loom, all eyes are on Draper to see if he can continue his remarkable rise and etch his name into British tennis history.