Jack Draper 'anxious' before being sick in US Open

Jack Draper is ranked 25th in the world

Surrey’s Jack Draper said it was the “worst feeling ever” after being sick on court four times as his US Open dream ended in semi-final heartbreak.

The British number one had hoped to follow in the footsteps of Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu by winning the title in New York, but the anxiety of the occasion became too much for him and he was defeated by Jannik Sinner.

Draper, who attended the Reed’s School in Cobham, said: “I'm quite an anxious human being - sometimes I do feel a bit nausea on court and I do feel a little bit sick when it gets tough.”

He has become one of just four British men to reach the US Open singles semi-finals in the Open era, and will surely be hailed a hero on returning home.

Jack Draper said he can feel 'a bit sick' during tough competitions

Speaking ahead of the game, Draper’s mother Nicky told BBC Radio Surrey that she hoped her son could inspire the next generation of players, just as Andy Murray had inspired him.

“He knows it is very powerful when you see someone play,” she said. “You want to be like them, don’t you?”

“He's put in so much hard work over the years and it's been years and years of work and you don't always get the rewards straight away.

"I always say you can't make a tennis player, it has to come from within."

The 22-year-old fell short in a 7-5 7-6 (3) 6-2 loss to world number one Sinner.

Speaking after the match, Draper said: “I think obviously it’s a big occasion for me.

“I definitely felt, even though I generally feel pretty relaxed, I definitely felt more excited today, a few more nerves around.

“I didn’t have any problems before the match, but it obviously just built up.”