Jack Draper makes Grand Slam title vow and opens up on Jannik Sinner struggles

Jack Draper believes he is on the right path to claim Grand Slam success as he claimed: “I think it's just a matter of time”.

And world No.1 Jannik Sinner insisted his friend has the potential to win “big titles in the future”.

The British No.1 will enter the world’s top 20 for the first time after reaching the US Open semi-finals. Draper, 22, threw up three times on court as the lost 7-5 7-6 6-2 to the Australian Open champion in hot and humid conditions.

But the Surrey-based star said he is heading in the right direction as he seeks his Major breakthrough.

“I don't think I need to do anything different,” said Draper. “I think it's just a matter of time. I think I'm constantly trying to improve. I've got great people around me, I'm doing all the right things.

“When I came here last year I was 120 in the world, barely played the whole season. I think I'll be leaving here this week in the top 20. I'm breaking new barriers down the whole time of what I think is possible.

"I don't think I need to do this and that to help. I think it's more just keep on doing what I'm doing. Experience for someone like Jannik or Carlos or some of these young players, they've been on the tour for about three or four years now, constantly playing, constantly learning, constantly taking wins and losses and experiencing losing in the quarters or semis of a Grand Slam.

"This is my first proper year, because of all my injuries and all my setbacks, so I'm a few years behind almost.

"So I think I just need to keep on learning, keep on growing, keep on having situations like today where I came unstuck and, you know, how am I going to do it different next time and all these types of things.

"That's the biggest thing I think it is, honestly, just a matter of time. It's experiences, doing all the right things, it's training consistently, and over time you just progress and you get stronger and you get better. Hopefully I'll be in these situations more often and I'm able to come through them.”

Sinner is only a year older but will be seeking to win his second Grand Slam of year.

“Even though he's so young, he's obviously been in these situations many, many times. Before the Australian Open this year, he kept on getting to the quarterfinals, the semifinals, and came unstuck," Draper added.

"It's all a process. I think Jannik's got huge experience already. The reason why he's No. 1 in the world and nhe's barely losing matches is because he's so consistent.

"His intensity, his ball speed, he's barely got any weaknesses, and he's just able to be there point by point and raise his level when he needs to. Mentally, physically, emotionally, everything's constantly improving, and he's rock solid in all areas. He's tough to beat.”

Sinner was also full of praise for Draper. “There are some feelings you have with certain players, and he is one of them, I feel like,” said the world No.1. “Everyone has his own time and way and path. But I'm quite sure, because I know that he's potentially winning some big titles in the future, because he's a tough player to play against, he has a great attitude on the court, he's working hard. These are all things together which, yeah, which is great to see, no?

"He's also lefty, it's something different. My point of view, also today he played very well the first couple of sets, and then after he dropped physically a little bit. But yeah, I think we're gonna see him much more from now on.”