John McEnroe tips Jack Draper for top-10 status after US Open breakthrough: “He has a lot going for him”
ATP
John
McEnroe analyzed Jack Draper's outstanding performance at the US Open, which
led him to his first Grand Slam semifinals. The world No. 25 benefited from
early exits by Carlos Alcaraz and Hubert Hurkacz on his side of the draw.
However,
the 22-year-old reaching the semifinals is not solely due to the elimination of
some of the favorites. The Brit has won 15 consecutive sets, conceding an
average of just 2.4 games per set.
His latest
victory against Alex De Minaur further confirmed his excellent form as he
secured his second win over a top-10 player in a Grand Slam. “Jack has had some
hard luck with injuries, and he had some issues with his fitness stepping up
into the big time,” John McEnroe told Eurosport.
“With Andy
Murray retiring, he had to step up into that role in British tennis, and that
is not easy at all,” McEnroe added. “He has benefitted from a favorable draw at
this year’s US Open, but I feel like he is playing the game with a little more
abandon now, and that is helping him.”
“He is
using his height to his advantage, and to me, he still has a tendency to stand
too far back as he has a big game and needs to use it,” the 7-time Grand Slam
champion noted. “Being a lefty helps as players don’t see that too often, so he
has a lot going for him.”
“I knew he
was going to be good, and one area where he has impressed me at the US Open is
with his movement. That makes me think he could become a regular in the top ten
of the rankings from now on,” McEnroe added. “He has already gained quite a bit
at this US Open, and he has nothing to lose at this point. He just needs to
push on from here.”
Recently,
Draper admitted that he had questioned whether he could reach the top of tennis
and consistently compete for major titles in his career: “It helps that I’ve
already been in a lot of low points in my career, with injuries, setbacks, and
times when I questioned if I was cut out for this sport, or if I was really
good enough,” Draper said.
“I kept on
believing in myself, kept on working. Those are hard moments. This is not a
hard moment compared to that,” the world No. 25 added. “This is a privilege,
and it’s an honor to be in this position. This is why I work so hard, so I’ve
got to keep it going in my stride. At the end of the day, I’m not afraid of
being in these positions. I want to keep on doing this, and this is why I
play.”
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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