Alex de Minaur was forced to fight back the tears in his US Open press conference following his quarter-final defeat to Jack Draper.
De Minaur agonizingly withdrew from his Wimbledon quarter-final through injury, and it appears as if his body was a major factor in the 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 loss he suffered in the same stage of his first tournament since.
Draper claimed that he noticed his opponent struggling in the first set, which slightly threw him off, but the 22-year-old managed to keep his foot on the gas and cruise to victory.
De Minaur was bidding to progress to the last four of a major for the first time, having reached the quarter-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon this year, but was thwarted by Draper who is yet to drop a set.
It is turning out to be a fairytale run for Draper, who became the first British male to reach the US Open semi-finals since Andy Murray in 2012.
Alex de Minaur holds back the tears after US Open loss to Jack Draper
Alex de Minaur stood as the biggest obstacle that Jack Draper had experienced during his emphatic run at the US Open.
The Brit, however, continued to show his ruthless nature as he crushed the world number 10’s dreams of soaring to major glory.
“I just want to say that I am very proud of myself for what I have achieved,” De Minaur said. “All things considered, doing everything I could to be in this position. Today it wasn’t meant to be but I am proud of my efforts.”
It was an abrupt start to the press conference that set the tone for what was to follow, with the 25-year-old having to fend off the tears when asked repeatedly about his injuries.
However, De Minaur did find the words to congratulate his opponent for an impressive display.
“I think Jack has continuously improved every time we have played,” De Minaur added. “Every year he is getting better. He has the right ethic and is a great guy, a great competitor and he is doing the right things.
“He has got weapons and knows how to use those weapons effectively. Look, he is yet to lose a set in this tournament so he has got to be doing something right.”
A British success story is brewing at the US Open
Draper’s awe-inspiring run at Flushing Meadows this year draws parallels with that of Emma Raducanu in 2021, and it is understandably difficult for the British public to contain their excitement.
The young man from Sutton, UK, is a well-oiled machine and it was only a matter of time before he broke out on the biggest stage in tennis.
Draper is 15-0 in sets played thus far and finds himself in unchartered territory as the least-experienced player in the semi-finals – this is where things get tough.
He has set up a mouthwatering encounter with world number one Jannik Sinner in a clash between two of tennis’ most promising stars.
The Italian has established himself as the red-hot favorite for the title, but Draper is proving that he can kick it with the best.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
