Jack Draper vomits and learns brutal lesson in dramatic US Open semi-final
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It was a tough night for Jack Draper. The top player from Britain had probably never imagined that his impressive run at the US Open would end with him feeling sick and exhausted on the court. In a difficult match against the World No 1 Jannik Sinner, Draper vomited four times and was left completely drained after a challenging three-hour battle. Sinner managed to secure a 7-5 7-6 (3) 6-2 victory, advancing to his second grand slam final of the season and his first in New York. However, it wasn't an easy win for Sinner, as Draper put up a strong fight until the very end.
This is a tough loss for the 22-year-old Draper. He was neck and neck with Sinner for most of the first two sets, but Sinner, who won the Australian Open earlier this year and is currently ranked number one in the world, was able to step up his game when it mattered most. Despite the defeat, it is positive to see Draper holding his own against the top players on a major stage like this. It seems likely that we will see him in more grand slam semi-finals in the future.
His first match will be remembered for the dramatic moment during the second set. Unfortunately, Draper struggled with the pressure of the match, the hot and humid weather in New York, and the stress of it all. He tried to rehydrate by drinking a lot of fluids during breaks, but ended up throwing it up behind the baseline. Despite trying to clean up the mess himself, he was scolded by the chair umpire for not following the rules when he placed his towel back in its box.
Draper, who had also felt unwell during his first-round victory at the Australian Open earlier this year, shared that his anxiety had a role in his performance. He said, "I believe it's a significant event for me." He continued, "Even though I am usually calm, today I felt more excited and nervous. I am typically an anxious person. When you combine all those factors, I sometimes feel nauseous and sick during tough moments on the court. I didn't have any issues before the match, but it gradually built up."
Getting sick is not good at all. It makes you feel even worse because you can't nourish your body. During intense matches, you need to be able to stay hydrated and fuel your body to keep going. However, when you're sick, you can't keep anything down and it's a terrible feeling. You can't perform well on the court when you're in that state. It's a dreadful feeling, and you become more dizzy and unwell as time goes on.
Draper has put in a lot of effort this season to improve his physical condition and he feels that his performance at the US Open shows how far he has come. However, going up against someone like Sinner in a semi-final match at a major tournament brought a whole new level of intensity, both physically and emotionally. Draper seemed calm at the start, but the first set was very close, with just a few points deciding it at 5-5. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old struggled with double faults and had issues with his grip on the racket due to sweating a lot in the hot conditions. Draper admitted that he sweats a lot during matches and had to change shirts and shoes multiple times.
Draper continued to fight through his illness during the match. He managed to save break points in three consecutive games at the beginning of the second set using his strong serve-and-volley game and skillful net play. He also did well to handle Sinner's powerful shots from the baseline. The match took a dramatic turn when Sinner slipped and hurt his left wrist while returning a shot from Draper. Sinner received medical treatment and was later seen with his wrist wrapped in ice. This injury is a worry for Sinner as he prepares to face Taylor Fritz in the final on Sunday.
However, for a brief moment, the outcome of the semi-final was uncertain as both Draper and Sinner needed medical attention at the same time. Sinner, however, showed a sudden burst of energy to win the tiebreak and take an early lead in the third set, effectively putting an end to any resistance from Draper. Despite Draper's request for a can of Coke during the match, it arrived too late to improve his physical condition. While Draper can take pride in his performance at the US Open, it is clear that he will need to work on improving his game to compete at a higher level, particularly when it comes to handling the physical and mental challenges of facing top-ranked opponents in major tournaments. Draper deserves recognition for his honesty and willingness to share his ongoing journey in tennis.
"I have gained a lot of experience," Draper shared. "This has been beneficial for me this year and has improved my overall well-being. The more experience you have in certain situations, the easier things become. However, it can be challenging as we all have our own obstacles to overcome. Tennis requires both mental and physical strength. I always strive to grow and learn, which has been a lifelong journey for me. I believe I have a strong mentality, but sometimes my strong desire for success can drain me mentally, especially in the longer matches. This emotional build-up can be both a strength and a weakness for me, which is why I continue to work on it."
