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Jack Draper advanced to his first-ever Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open, defeating Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, 6-2. The 22-year-old Briton has yet to drop a set in New York and is now set to face world number one Jannik Sinner for a place in the final.
Draper, the 25th seed, reflected on his performance, saying, “This is not an overnight thing for me… I still have some levels to go if I get pushed.”
Draper is the first British man to reach the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows since Andy Murray’s title-winning run in 2012. His career has been marked by high expectations, but injury setbacks in 2023 slowed his progress. Draper acknowledged the challenges, noting that watching other young players succeed motivated him to work harder during his recovery.
In his quarter-final, Draper called for the physio after feeling discomfort in his leg but played through it. De Minaur also appeared hampered by an injury, though Draper remained focused and composed.
Despite the high-pressure environment of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Draper said he felt no nerves, crediting early morning walks around the empty arena as a ritual that helped him prepare for the big stage. He said, “I think that helped me get used to it today.”
