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US Open: Meet Jack Draper, The First Brit Since Andy Murray to Reach the Semi-Final

Currently ranked No. 20, he could climb as high as No. 14 if he reaches the final

Jack Draper has reached a major milestone, securing his first Grand Slam semi-final at the 2024 US Open. The 22-year-old Briton triumphed over 10th seed Alex de Minaur in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, 6-2, at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Draper's victory took two hours and seven minutes, and with it, he became the first British man since Andy Murray in 2012 to reach the semis at Flushing Meadows.

Before the 2024 US Open, Draper had never advanced beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam. However, the 22-year-old has upped his game dramatically, winning 15 consecutive sets on his way to his first-ever semi-final appearance. Draper's remarkable performance makes him only the fourth Briton in the Open Era to reach the men's singles semi-final at Flushing Meadows, joining the ranks of Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman, and Andy Murray.

Regardless of the semi-final outcome, Draper's run has guaranteed him a career-high ranking in the PIF ATP Rankings. Currently ranked No. 20, he could climb as high as No. 14 if he reaches the final. He will face either Daniil Medvedev or Jannik Sinner next.

The Draper family

Born in Sutton, London, he grew up in Ashtead, Surrey, where tennis was deeply rooted in his family. His father, Roger Draper, a former Sport England CEO, and his mother, Nicky Draper, a former junior British tennis champion, introduced him to the sport early on. Jack attended Parkside School and later Reed's School in Cobham, where he began sharpening his tennis abilities, setting the foundation for his promising career in British tennis.

Climbing the tennis ladder

Draper's junior career peaked in 2018 with a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, securing a career-high junior ranking of World No. 7. He made his ATP Tour debut in 2021, gaining attention by defeating top players like Jannik Sinner and Alexander Bublik at Queen's Club. In 2022, Draper further solidified his reputation with four Challenger titles and a top-100 debut. His breakthrough came in 2024 when he won his first ATP title at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart, rising to a career-high World No. 25.

Establishing a reputation in tennis

The left-handed player with a formidable backhand is renowned for his aggressive baseline play. By 2024, he had ascended to British No. 1, firmly establishing himself among the world's top tennis players. Draper's promise was evident early, reaching the 2018 Wimbledon junior final and achieving a peak junior ranking of No. 7. Despite struggles with injuries, he made his ATP Tour debut in 2021 and quickly made headlines by defeating world No. 23 Jannik Sinner at the Queen's Club Championships.

Grand Slam potential

The Briton clinched his first ATP title at the 2024 BOSS Open in Stuttgart, a win that propelled him to a career-high world No. 25 by August 2024. He also made significant progress in Masters 1000 events, reaching the quarterfinals at the 2022 Canadian Open and the 2024 Cincinnati Open, proving his potential as a future Grand Slam contender.

Accused of cheating

Draper faced controversy at the Cincinnati Open. During a match against Félix Auger-Aliassime, hew secured match point, but Auger-Aliassime claimed Draper's shot was illegal, bouncing off the ground before crossing the net. Draper, unsure of the call, welcomed a replay, but the umpire awarded him the win. After reviewing the footage, Draper admitted it was a "clear illegal shot" and was troubled by it. He viewed the incident as a push for VAR technology in tennis and continued his success by defeating Zhizhen Zhang at the US Open.

Being a philanthropist

After his maternal grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, Draper became a "sports champion" for the Alzheimer's Society. He dedicated his efforts to raising awareness and supporting the organization, which funds research to find a cure for the disease. Draper's involvement highlighted his commitment to using his platform for a cause close to his heart.