“There were definitely moments where I thought I’d have to pull out”: Jack Draper admits doubts before US Open run

Jack Draper walked into the US Open press room with a tired smile but a noticeable sense of relief. After months of battling an arm injury and questions about whether he would even make it to New York, the 23-year-old Brit found himself not only competing but winning. His match wasn’t flawless—he admitted as much—but it was the kind of gritty performance that, in his words, “gave me another chance on Thursday.”

The world No. 5 defeated a resilient Federico Agustin Gomez, an Argentine making his debut in the US Open main draw. The South American managed to take the match to four sets, but the victory ended up being without too many complications for Draper, with a final score of 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-2.

Draper’s journey has been defined as much by setbacks as by flashes of brilliance, and this comeback is already shaping up to be one of his most meaningful chapters.

“It wasn’t my finest performance,” Draper conceded, reflecting honestly on a contest that stretched his endurance and composure. “But there was some problem-solving out there. Some really good stuff, some very average stuff.” That balance of humility and determination has made Draper a fascinating figure on the tour—someone who refuses to sugarcoat his struggles, yet never loses sight of his potential.

The bigger picture was never far from his mind. Draper’s arm, the subject of much speculation, dictated a more measured service game than usual. His serve speeds were down, but in a twist of irony, he felt his accuracy had actually improved. “I’ve definitely had to rein in my serve a little bit to keep the pain down,” he explained. “At the same time, I feel like my accuracy is almost a bit better at times.” The challenge was less about explosive power and more about managing his body smartly, adapting in real time, and trusting the process.

And then came the moment that made headlines: Draper falling sick just as he was about to serve in the third set. For many, it was an alarming déjà vu of his collapse in last year’s semi-final. Draper, however, was quick to downplay it. “I felt physically fine,” he said calmly. “Potentially a bit of nervous energy… but it wasn’t affecting me. I wasn’t physically struggling.” If anything, it underscored the fragile balance between physical health and mental stress in elite sport—a balance Draper is still learning to master.

At one point this year, Draper wasn’t even sure he’d be in New York. With an arm injury requiring an estimated eight-week recovery, his presence at the US Open—arriving in week seven—was a calculated risk. “There were definitely moments where I thought I’d have to pull out,” he admitted. “Some days you’re pumped because you feel on the right path, and others you have setbacks and think, ‘I might not be able to do it.’”

The key, Draper explained, was constant reassurance from his team and medical staff that he was not worsening the injury. Once that confidence came, the focus shifted to competition and adaptation. “The main thing is I’m here, I’m competing hard, and I’m not doing any more damage to my arm.”

Draper even found a silver lining in losing the third set of his match. “I was almost a bit happy when I lost the third set because my level wasn’t amazing, and then towards the end of the fourth I felt like I started to get better and better.” That comment revealed not only his honesty but also a mindset focused on growth rather than perfection. For a player whose career has been punctuated by frustrating injuries, resilience has become a central weapon in his arsenal.

As for the road ahead, Draper is realistic but optimistic. He knows his serve isn’t at full power yet, but he’s confident it will return in due time. “Even with the serve, I can crack it if I want to. It’s just not always necessary. I don’t need to ramp up so quickly.” The patience is paying off: “Today it [the arm] responded amazingly. Competing also helps—the adrenaline, the load on the arm. Playing two-and-a-half, three-hour matches is going to help my arm adapt.”

Draper’s plan? Keep playing, keep building confidence, and let his tennis evolve naturally. “Right now the plan is a full schedule to the end of the year,” he confirmed. For a player who only weeks ago feared he wouldn’t step foot in Flushing Meadows, that’s already a victory in itself.