With the US Open now on the horizon, renewed optimism will wash over the ATP and WTA tour, of those who will have grand ambitions of claiming this illustrious final Grand Slam title of the year.
This event in New York represents one of the more unpredictable majors historically, especially on the men’s side, where we have not seen someone defend the title successfully since Roger Federer won it five times in a row between 2004 and 2008.
So, players like Jack Draper, who might not be the favourites to go all the way, should see this event as a real chance to make a splash and go far further than they might have done ever before.
That is, at least what his fellow countryman is hoping.
Tim Henman makes Jack Draper US Open prediction
Speaking to Tennis365, Sky Sports pundit and former British number one Tim Henman sought to preview the upcoming US Open, which is just days away from officially starting now.
With attention having been initially captured by Nick Kyrgios and Naomi Osaka’s doubles partnership, now, as Fan Week draws to a close, intrigue in the real competition begins.
The 49-year-old, naturally, would rate his compatriot’s chances by claiming: ‘You look at a player like Jack Draper and I would be hopeful that he could get into the second week and it’s great to see Matteo Berrettini back fit and healthy. He would be a dangerous player for any of the top seeds to face early on.’
Henman then rated the American men’s chances of a hometown winner, claiming: ‘You look at the ranking of the American players and they are all so close to each other, so there is a good battle going on there.
‘Fritz, Paul, Shelton and Korda are all next to each other in the rankings at the moment so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top with those four. Tiafoe is also in the mix.
‘It’s always great for a tournament when a home player has a big run and the New York crowds love to cheer on an American.’
Jack Draper has a habit of troubling top players
Still his best Grand Slam performance to date, Draper reached the fourth round of the US Open last year, and catapulted himself into the conversation regarding Britain’s next big tennis talents.
Beforehand, there had been murmurs of this young left-handed talent with a monster serve, but only then, after the 22-year-old had beaten Hubert Hurcacz and troubled Andrey Rublev in New York, did people start to take note.
Injuries have not been kind to this young starlet, but all the talent is clearly in place for him to trouble the very best, as he has done with regularity throughout 2024.
Draper first impressed in Adelaide, the first tournament of the season, when he beat Alexander Bublik and Tommy Paul on his way to a first ATP final.
He would follow that up with another win over the American in Mexico, before later winning his first-ever ATP title in Stuttgart, beating Matteo Berrettini in the final after battling past Frances Tiafoe earlier in the event.
Then came the biggest win of his career to date: a straight-sets victory on home soil over defending Queen’s champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Whoever he plays knows they are in for a real battle to overcome Draper, and so he should feel buoyed that the second week is a very realistic aim for him going into the US Open.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
