Jack Draper has admitted he's inspired by Emma Raducanu as he looks to win his US Open semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner tonight.
The Briton has been in outstanding form at the competition so far, with the 22-year-old yet to drop a single set.
Draper was brilliant on Wednesday as he consigned Alex de Minaur to defeat, with the youngster now just two victories away from Grand Slam glory.
Back in 2021, Raducanu upset the odds to go all the way and etch her name into the history books as she won the final major of the year.
Jack Draper has opened up ahead of his US Open semi-final showdown with Jannik Sinner
REUTERS
And Draper, speaking ahead of his clash with Sinner, has now admitted he's inspired by Raducanu as he seeks the first Grand Slam of his career.
“What Emma did was obviously incredibly inspiring," he said.
“I’ve known her from a young age and to see what she did was incredible.
"I was very proud of her, very excited, watching it thinking, obviously we’ve watched the likes of Andy Murray winning a grand slam from Great Britain, but her winning, it was just really a fairytale run.
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"I definitely think as a competitor, it fuelled my fire.
"I really wanted to achieve what she’d done, winning a grand slam.”
Sinner's participation at the US Open has been controversial given how he recently failed two drugs tests.
The Italian claimed an anabolic steroid had entered his system through a massage from his physiotherapist and was cleared by an independent tribunal last month.
READ MORE:Emma Raducanu's silence speaks volumes as criticism floods in following US Open defeat
Draper has backed Sinner, who has openly admitted to being given a frosty reception by other players at the competition.
And the Briton, when asked about his good relationship with his 23-year-old rival, added: "We're obviously young.
"We’re playing this incredibly tough sport. There’s a lot of emotional ups and downs. There’s a lot of tough moments.
"So I think it started through sending messages to each other when we’re having bad moments or good moments.”
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Jack Draper has revealed he's inspired by Emma Raducanu as he looks to win the US Open
REUTERS
Earlier this week, Draper admitted he nearly quit tennis due to injury issues.
His decision to play on has been justified, however, with the Briton now on the brink of achieving something special.
Draper is glad to have been guided by the right people, while the 22-year-old is also delighted at his improvement in form.
“It’s made me realise that this is something where I have to put all my life into this sport,” he said.
Jack Draper is yet to drop a set at the US Open as he prepares to battle Jannik Sinner tonight
REUTERS
“I have to eat the right things, train even harder than I ever have done before.
"Get good people around me and kind of shut myself off and really focus on what’s going to make me one of the best players in the world.
"And I think learning those lessons, learning from other players and their different experiences, and seeing what’s gone on with me, I think it’s definitely important that I really looked at myself and tried to figure out how I’m going to be consistent.”
