Tennis

British No 1 Jack Draper Reveals The Secrets To His Succesful Run To The US Open Semi-Final

By
Ben Horlock
Author photo
Ben Horlock Sports Editor

Ben Horlock is a sports news and features writer who holds a degree in sports journalism (BA Hons) from Southampton Solent University. Ben has been published across a wide variety of news outlets and websites including HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport, Betfair and Zoo Magazine. As well, Ben has worked in social media for four years in the sports gambling industry. For his sins, Ben is a QPR fan and is a keen follower of all the major European football leagues.

Get to know Ben Horlock better
Sports Editor

Published06 Sep 2024

Disclosure
We publish independently audited information that meets our strong editorial guidelines. Be aware we may earn a commission if you purchase anything via links on our pages.
draper1

Jack Draper has revealed the secrets to his historic run to the 2024 US Open semi-final where he will face off against Jannik Sinner. 

The British No 1 is just two victories away from landing his first Grand Slam title. However, standing in his way is the formidable Italian.

Draper has beaten Zhizhen Zhang, Facundo Diaz Acosta, Botic Van De Zandschulp, Tomas Machac and Alex de Minaur to reach the last four.

In 2021, fellow Brit Emma Raducanu went all the way without dropping a set. Something of which Draper is looking to replicate at this year’s US Open.

However, it hasn’t always been plain sailing for the 22-year-old. Draper has previously admitted that he doubted if he could make it to the very top.

Nowadays, those comments seem like a lifetime ago with Draper on the brink of British tennis heritage. Even if his fairytale run in New York does come to an end against Sinner, he is perfectly poised going into the new year.

Jack Draper’s Two Keys To Success

Jack Draper is priced at 20/1 by the best betting sites in the UK to beat world No 1 in straight sets. Something of which isn’t out of the realms of possibility.

Especially now that Draper finds himself in blistering form. He has been able to cut out certain parts of his life which he believed was holding him back. Smartphones and caffeine.

“I used to take a lot of caffeine before I played, because I felt maybe sometimes with my emotions, I would feel tired before I played,” he explained.

“The anxiety would shut me down, so my way of dealing with it was taking on a hell of a lot of caffeine. But I learnt that probably wasn’t the best situation because I ended up becoming very wired and very agitated.

“I wasn’t able to be present and focus on what’s important. I think it was probably best that I cut it out of my life.”

Furthermore, fellow Brit Cameron Norrie suggested that Draper’s overuse of his smartphone during a match at Queen’s in 2022 damaged his concentration.

After a chat with his coach James Trotman, Draper decided it was time to drop caffeine and limit his smartphone usage. He now turns off the device even whilst in practice.

No matter what happens on September 6 against Sinner in New York, Draper will become a top-20 player for the first time ever.