Jack Draper threw up three times on court as his dream run at the US Open ended in a brave defeat to Jannik Sinner.
In his first ever Grand Slam semi-final, the sweaty British No.1 suffered from the heat and humidity and had to change his rackets, shoes and shirt.
And in the mad second set, he vomited twice in the same game – and the two players had simultaneous treatment at the changeover after the world No.1 fell on his left hand. The No.25 also chucked up again in the 12th game of the energy-sapping 89-minute second set.
After taking tablets, he asked umpire Marijana Veljovic to order him a can of Coca-Cola to settle his stomach in the third set.
ESPN coverage in the USA shows the tennis with the logo: “The world’s healthiest sport.”
But in this survival of the fittest, the Australian Open triumphed 7-5 7-6 6–3 in just over three hours. The two friends embraced warmly at the net at the end.
The world No.1 said: “Me and Jack we know each other very well. It was a very physical match. I just tried to stay there mentally – he is very tough to beat. I am just happy to be in the final here.”
Sinner, 23, reaches his first US Open final after he was exonerated just before the tournament for twice testing positive to a banned substance in March.
Draper’s early career was dogged by injuries and withdrawals – and his physical frailties returned in the biggest match of his life.
The British No.1 had the fortune to see his first round opponent pull out injured before his slated third round opponent Carlos Alcaraz lost to Dutchman Botic van de Vandschlup. And the only seed he faced before today – world No.10 Alex de Minaur – was struggling with a hip injury.
Against the world No.1, the world No.25 fought his own physical elements bravely but was beaten by the better player who hits bigger and with more consistency.
The British left-ander made only 50 per cent of first serves and served more doubles faults (10) than aces (eight).
Emma Raducanu, Andy Murray and Virginia remain the only British singles winners here in the Open era. He won over the crowd in the Arthur Ashe Stadium with his big shot-making and then his refusal to quit but he could not win the match.
Draper had reached the last four without dropping a set in his first five matches but that changed after 56 minutes.
At 5-5, the British No.1 struggled with his sweaty hands as he sent down three double faults – including on the third break point – to allow the Sinner to serve out the first set.
He was given time to change his sodden shoes at 3-3 in the second set before the incident–packed eighth game. With the temperatures at 26 degrees – and humidity at 65 per cent – Draper threw up after the first point and quickly cleared it up.
After one drop volley, he was feeling enough to cup his hand to his ears to ask for more applause before vomiting again.
In the next game at 4-4, Sinner chased a ball back and slipped and fell on his left wrist.
As both player were treated at the game, Draper also asked for another pair of shoes to be recovered from his locker
The British No.1 was sick again in the 12th game of the set as Sinner won eight points out of 10 to set up five set points – and he took the third when Draper could not return a 115mph serve down the middle.
There have been 53 shorter women’s matches in this tournament the the second set.
Draper, 22, was just holding on in the third set and Sinner broke to lead 4-2 by chasing down a volley and drilling a backhand pass down the line.
And the Italian took his first match point when he hit a backhand crosscourt return winner.
