Jack Draper mentioned he was thrilled to turn out to be the primary British man to succeed in the U.S. Open quarterfinals since his buddy and mentor Andy Murray in 2016 after beating Tomas Machac in straight units on Monday.
The red-hot Draper has but to drop a set or a service recreation on the event and dominated his Czech opponent 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 for the 22-year-old’s deepest run at a Grand Slam event.
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“Extremely happy with that achievement,” Draper advised reporters. “To observe in Andy’s footsteps and make the quarterfinals right here since he did it in 2016, it is a massive achievement for me.
“However I believe I’ve simply acquired to maintain on going as a result of I do know that there is nonetheless room for enchancment and nonetheless room to hopefully go additional within the event.”
Murray, who received the U.S. Open in 2012 for the primary of his three main titles, retired after the Paris Olympics and whereas Draper mentioned the 37-year-old is at all times only a textual content away, he didn’t plan on reaching out to him in the meanwhile.
“In all probability not,” he mentioned.
“Clearly I really feel like he would fully perceive and reply to any messages I ship him and would give me recommendation, however I believe additionally on the identical time I believe he is sort of having fun with his retirement now and he is sort of finished with it.”
Draper beat Murray of their solely ATP Tour degree assembly at Indian Wells final 12 months in a match that felt on the time like a altering of the guard for British tennis.
“Andy I clearly miss,” Draper mentioned in an on-court interview.
“Shout out to him. What an unbelievable profession the man has had. Icon of the sport. I miss him within the altering rooms. I miss being subsequent to his smelly sneakers and all of his smelly garments,” he mentioned.
“Andy is a legend. If I’ve half the profession that he is had, then I will be a contented man.”
