Leon Smith,
Captain of Great Britain’s Davis Cup team, will evaluate Jack Draper before
deciding if he’s fit to play. The world No. 20 had one of the best performances
of his career, advancing to the semifinals of the US Open, winning 15
consecutive sets before falling to the eventual champion Jannik Sinner in
straight sets.
While
Draper kept fighting with Sinner during the first two sets, in the third, he
showed visible physical problems and vomited several times on the court while
struggling to stay in the match. The win ultimately went to the Italian, 7-5,
7-6(3), 6-2.
Jack Draper in doubt for Davis Cup
Great
Britain is in Group D alongside Argentina, Canada, and Finland. So far, the
British singles players would be Jack Draper and Billy Harris, though Captain
Leon Smith has yet to confirm Draper’s presence for the first match against
Finland: "Until we get on the court and start doing some stuff, it's quite
hard to tell how (he) feels," said Smith.
"It's
just a question of figuring out where he is at with his energy, how much tennis
he can play over the course of the week. But, if he's good to go, he's good to
go. If he's not, I've got every faith in those sitting beside me now."
Draper’s
presence as the team leader could be a good omen, especially considering that
Great Britain has no other players in the top 100. The absence of Cameron
Norrie and Andy Murray’s recent retirement leaves Great Britain in a more
vulnerable position than in previous years, though Draper could be the one to
lead the team in the coming years: "We are absolutely thrilled that he's
coming."
"You
can tell straight away that he gets Davis Cup. He plays with passion, pride,
fight, and you mix that with the fact he's a top-20 player with unbelievable
quality, he's going to be a very important member of the team not just this
week but for many, many, many years to come."
Jack Draper at 2024 US Open.
"He
absolutely loves it and his commitment by coming here just shows that,"
Smith added about Draper. "Obviously we miss Andy being around, just in
general. He was a bedrock of the team for the last couple of decades, even
putting his heart and soul into one of the rubbers here last year against
Switzerland."
"You
could still see how much it meant to him then. But he's not forgotten, is he?
He's left a massive imprint and legacy on definitely me but also all the guys
that are sitting here."
Great Britain to take On Finland in Davis Cup
Great
Britain will face Finland, represented by Otto Virtanen (No. 109) and Eero Vasa
(No. 703), who will play against Draper (No. 20) and Harris (No. 101). In
doubles, Harri Heliövaara and Patrik Niklas-Salminen will face the British team
of Neal Skupski and Henry Paten: "I think it's a really even group, and
something always happens. That's what Davis Cup is, players take their
chances."
"But I
really believe we can be successful here. We're really determined to do that.
All the players here are in good confidence, playing well, so why not? We've
got to get after this."
Later on,
Great Britain will face Argentina on 13th September, led by Sebastián Báez (No.
26) and Francisco Cerúndolo (No. 31), and on 15th September, they will face
Canada, whose main figures include Denis Shapovalov (No. 100) and Felix
Auger-Aliassime (No. 21).
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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