Brave Brit tennis star Jack Draper vomits FOUR times on way to sickening US Open semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner
JACK DRAPER’s New York fairytale story will not come true this year after he puked up FOUR TIMES on court in chaotic scenes.
The gutsy Brit will not emulate Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu as he failed to reach this weekend’s US Open singles final.
A 7-5 7-6 6-2 defeat to Jannik Sinner was a story of too many mistakes, TEN double faults, physical struggles, a can of COKE and an emptying of the contents of his stomach on multiple occasions.
It might not have been the hottest afternoon in the Big Apple but the Stateside humidity severely impacted the 22-year-old during intense semi-final competition.
Several times in the second set, he opened his mouth and let rip on the blue hard court, before casually mopping up the evidence with his towel.
It got so ridiculous that on the third time, the chair umpire had to remind him of health and safety rules, warning that she would call court cleaners to sort out the mess if it continued.
It is a shame it had to end this way, especially as Sinner damaged his left wrist in the back-end of the second set and could have been there for the taking if it had gone the distance.
Some TV viewers were unhappy too – moaning cameras were TOO LOW durng Sky Sports’ coverage.
The best run of Draper’s life will be well-rewarded financially – a £760,000 pay cheque will be heading his way.
But a place in the record books has gone as he will not become the third Brit this century to make a singles final in the last Slam on the calendar.
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Sinner, 23, may have arrived here with the baggage of having fought and successfully appealed against a doping ban after two positive tests in March but he will look to finish 2024 with two Slams.
Sweat-soaked Draper has no time to mope around because has to pack, regroup and go again next week for three Davis Cup group matches in Manchester.
He had arrived at Flushing Meadows by people carrier at 4pm, four hours before his big moment, because it was the same pre-match routine that had worked so well.
Underneath his shorts, it was possible to see taping around his right hamstring.
A reminder of the medical time-out he required for the problem during his quarter-final win over Alex de Minaur last Wednesday.
Mum Nicky was in the players box having impressively booked a last-minute flight from the UK and jetting into the country at 2am.
And so, too, was dad Roger, who has kept a low profile in his son’s development even though he used to be boss of the LTA.
In a slow burn of a first set, we saw the best and the worst of Draper, who was clearly battling nerves on the big stage and used the air con unit to cool down.
There were five blistering aces off his racquet, some topping 128mph, but there were also six double faults.
Including one that handed game 11 to his opponent, a pivotal moment in this match.
When a forehand return by Draper went wide on 56 minutes, it handed the first-set advantage to Sinner and represented the first set he had surrendered in this year’s competition.
Showing warrior spirit, Draper was giving all he could, even changing his shoes midway through the second set due to sweat on them.
When he benefited from a drop shot at the net, he got the New Yorkers cheering and on their feet when he cupped his hand to his ear.
Yet it was in game eight when Draper first puked up and then Sinner required medical attention on his left wrist, which he injured after falling to the ground.
Draper’s next pair of shoes were ruined by more vomit and a staff member had to go to his locker to grab a clean pair.
It is to his credit that at 2-0 sets down, fatigued Draper continued fighting and keeping it tight but he was running on fumes – there was lots of perspiration but little inspiration.
His team told him to “keep testing” Sinner’s backhand but Draper was unable to do so and even asked for a can of Coke at one point to settle his dodgy tummy.
New York might be the concrete jungle where dreams are made of but for Draper, it was a nightmare scenario to be eliminated for what were essentially health reasons.
Sinner said afterwards: “Me and Jack, we know each other well.
“We are good friends, It was a very physical match. I tried to stay (in it) mentally. He is so tough to beat.
“It’s a special occasion to come out here. I am happy to be in the final.”