Jack Draper snuck through an almighty challenge in the Adelaide International earlier today as he defeated Miomir Kecmanovic over three sets.
However, whilst the clash was quite the spectacle, with two tie breaks actually winning the match for the Great British player, it was a moment mid-way through that instead went viral.
So, what was it that had the Serbian star so incensed? We take a closer look…
What happened in Jack Draper’s match with Miomir Kecmanovic
Despite outlasting Kecmanovic across a three-set epic (5-7, 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (9-7), in which he saved two match points in that key second set, many will likely remain focused on the mid-match flashpoint.
That is frustrating, given how impressive the 22-year-old was at times, dispatching the world number 55 in gruelling fashion.
However, play actually stopped for five minutes because of his opponent, who was left furious with the umpire after she awarded a contentious point to Draper when the ball seemed to have gone under the net.
‘Call somebody, I’m not going to play,’ he ordered whilst pacing the court, desperately trying to get his point across. ‘The ball went under the net and you’re calling it over.’
Given this occurred during the final set which he would go on to lose, Kecmanovic perhaps had reason to showcase such frustration.
Jack Draper has a huge opportunity in 2024
Having bypassed Sebastian Baez in the round of 32, and now set up a quarter-final clash with US top seed Tommy Paul, it has been a profitable start to 2024 for a man who enjoyed a fine year last season even if it was somewhat plagued by injuries.
‘I had to learn a lot about myself,’ he told ATP Tour, before detailing the ‘grind’ which has seen him settle as world number 62.
2024 presents a huge opportunity for Draper to regain his form from 2022 and assert himself as the shining light of British tennis, especially when the likes of Dan Evans and Andy Murray are both ageing and worrying about their ailments.
Last year’s run to the fourth round of the US Open represented a best-ever finish in a grand slam, with many standing up and taking note of the towering left-handed player.
Well, given Rafael Nadal has already pulled out of this year’s iteration of the Australian Open, he at least will be safe in the knowledge that he can avoid the legendary Spaniard.
He enters through the main draw, and will be hoping to get closer to a new career-high ranking once again.
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