- British tennis star recalls being ‘very proud of’ Raducanu in unlikely US Open win
- Like Raducanu back then, Draper is yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament
- Match will begin at 3pm, 8pm UK, moved forward due to other all-US semi-final
Jack Draper is taking inspiration from Emma Raducanu as he looks to emulate her and win the US Open.
The 22-year-old faces world No1 Jannik Sinner on Friday at 8pm UK time in his first ever Grand Slam semi-final.
‘What Emma did was incredibly inspiring,’ said Draper, of his compatriot’s 2021 title here in New York. ‘I’ve known her from a young age, and to see what she did was incredible. I was very proud of her.
‘It fuelled my fire. I really wanted to achieve what she’d done. I took a lot of motivation and inspiration from it.’
In Sinner, Draper will go toe-to-toe with a player that he has grown close to over their years on the junior circuit, and played his first senior doubles match with in Montreal.
Jack Draper takes on world No1 Jannik Sinner at the US Open in his first Grand Slam semi-final
Emma Raducanu’s US Open title in 2021 could act as a blueprint for her compatriot in New York
The Briton heaped praise on his opponent ahead of the clash, stressing that he was ‘a good friend’ and ‘incredibly kind’.
‘It’s a tough sport when you’re a young guy,’ Draper added. ‘You’re on the road, playing a relentlessly intense sport, physically and emotionally, and we haven’t got many friends.
‘It started through sending messages to each other when we’re having bad moments or good moments.
‘He’s incredibly kind, genuine, funny, and that’s more important than being a great player, but he’s also an unbelievable player and great for the sport too.’
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