Within the first grand slam since Andy Murray ended his stellar profession, Draper has introduced himself as the brand new star of British tennis and is taking New York by storm.
He has received his first 5 matches with out dropping a set, together with his quarter-final win over tenth seed Alex de Minaur, to grow to be the primary British man to achieve the semi-final of the US Open since Murray received it in 2012.
His hardest check but awaits, although, as he’ll meet world primary Jannik Sinner within the subsequent spherical.
Draper admitted he questioned whether or not he was reduce out for a life on the high of the sport however coming via the opposite aspect of these doubts has strengthened his resolve.
“It helps the truth that I’ve been in quite a lot of type of low factors already in my profession the place I’ve had accidents, I’ve had setbacks, I’ve had instances after I’ve possibly thought to cease or query whether or not I’m reduce out for this sport, am I actually ok and all this form of stuff.
“I stored on believing in myself, stored on working. These are exhausting moments. That is type of not a tough second in comparison with that.
A breakthrough for the Brit! pic.twitter.com/Eoha4RKpTD
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2024
“This can be a privilege and that is an honour to be on this place. For this reason I work so exhausting, so I’ve acquired to simply maintain it getting in my stride.
“On the finish of the day, I’m not afraid of being in these positions. I wish to carry on doing this and for this reason I play.”
Draper has received 15 straight units on the event and breezed via to the final 4 with minimal fuss.
Though he sustained a slight “niggle” in his quarter-final win over De Minaur, Draper says there’s a lot left within the tank.
“I’ve been feeling like a extra full participant, like bodily I’ve at all times possibly previously fearful a bit of bit about taking part in 5 units and mentally and emotionally it being an excessive amount of for me,” he admitted.
“And type of simply considering, ‘Am I ok to play these finest gamers on the planet in best-of-five units?’
“Regardless that I’ve received all of them in three units, I nonetheless really feel like I’ve acquired a lot left in my locker.
“I’m not worrying about if it goes longer.
“It provides me quite a lot of peace of thoughts realizing that my physique feels good or strong, and I’m able to go the space if I must.”
“I really feel like my tennis feels actually flowing and I really feel like I’m not utilizing an excessive amount of vitality after I’m taking part in the factors.”