Jack Draper vows to become a Grand Slam champion and claims it’s ‘just a matter of time’ after US Open semi-final defeat by world No1 Jannik Sinner

Jack Draper vowed to one day become a Grand Slam champion. Given the pace at which he is progressing, it is ‘only a matter of time’.

Despite suffering from nausea brought on by nerves and the damp weather, the 22-year-old performed well in his semi-final, losing to world number 1 Jannik Sinner, who will face Taylor Fritz in today’s final.

Asked if his time here has given him confidence that he can win a major title on his good day, Draper was unequivocal. “Of course,” he replied.

“Even today, I’m nowhere near what I can do. There’s so much room for improvement in my serve, my forehand, many aspects of my game. It’s incredibly positive for me to know that I’m nowhere near my potential, and yet I’m a top 20 player and I’m in a Grand Slam semifinal.

‘Against Jannik there were many points where I caused him problems and he is the number one in the world, so I think I can be positive.’

The 22-year-old (left) suffered a 7-5 7-6 6-2 defeat to world number 1 Jannik Sinner (right)

Draper is right to be optimistic. He showed enough in this 7-5, 7-6, 6-2 defeat to suggest that without the nausea this match could have been an exciting one.

“I’m constantly pushing the boundaries of what I think is possible,” he said. “Jannik or Carlos Alcaraz — they’ve been on tour for three or four years, while this is my first real year because of the injuries I’ve had.

“I have to keep learning, keep growing and keep having situations like today. It’s just a matter of time. [before I win a major tournament].

‘Jannik is an incredible player and competitor, but when I’m on the pitch I realise what I’m capable of too. I had a lot of chances in the match against him and if I continue to grow as I am now, I see no reason why I can’t compete consistently with the best in the world.’

Draper has vowed to keep the anxiety he experiences under control, which is so intense around important matches that it can even make him throw up.

“It was a big event for me,” he said. “I definitely felt more excited there. There were a few more nerves. I’m a pretty anxious person.

Draper promised to get the anxiety he experiences, which is severe around big matches, under control

‘It’s something I need to work on, but I have a strong mentality and I use a lot of mental energy because I want [to win] so bad.

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t help very often, especially in these best-of-five-set matches. That fear can build up. It’s something that is a strength, but also a weakness. I have to keep working on it.”

Sinner himself had a problem, slipping and using his left hand to break his fall. He was seen after the match with an ice pack on his wrist and that could give Fritz hope in his bid to become the first American to win the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003, who defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

Fritz defeated his friend and compatriot Frances Tiafoe in a five-set semifinal on Friday night. Tiafoe was the better player for most of the match, but at 40-15 up and serving to stay in the fourth set, he hit two double faults and two terrible unforced errors to concede the break. He collapsed in the fifth set and the final score was 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

“Oh man, it’s tough,” Tiafoe said. “That’s really, really hard to take. This one’s going to hurt really, really bad. I thought I was the better player, that’s for sure. In the fourth set, I had some cramps. It felt like my body was giving out.

“I think the nerves got the better of me tonight. I couldn’t really move. I promise it won’t happen to me again.”

Sinner (pictured) was seen with an ice pack on his wrist after the match slipped

Taylor Fritz is attempting to become the first American man to win the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003

There were conflicting emotions on display from Fritz, who wept with joy on the field. “It’s a lifelong dream come true,” he said.

The 26-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the Australian Open this year, will certainly be the underdog in today’s final, but if he can harness the energy of the crowd he has a chance.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing against him,” he said. “I feel like I’m going to play really well and win.”