Jack Draper overcomes crowd abuse to triumph in Australian Open

In Australia, Jack Draper, the British No 1 tennis player, faced extraordinary pressure during his second-round match at the Australian Open against the home favorite, Thanasi Kokkinakis. Despite starting the match down two sets to one, Draper harnessed the hostile environment, described as an 'Ashes of tennis' by commentator Todd Woodbridge, to rally back and secure a hard-fought victory. The match, which took place on January 15, 2025, was marked by significant crowd interaction, with Draper receiving considerable abuse from the audience that seemed to energize him rather than deter him. Kokkinakis, although he played valiantly, struggled with fitness, revealing afterwards that he competed with a torn pectoral muscle, ultimately impacting his performance. Draper's win not only propelled him to the third round of the grand slam for the first time but also showcased his mental fortitude in overcoming the odds both on and off the court. Draper's journey through the tournament follows a challenging pre-season, where he confronted worries about his physical condition due to a hip injury that restricted his preparation. Despite these initial concerns, Draper demonstrated remarkable resilience, taking pride in how his body held up after two rigorous five-set encounters. His ability to perform under pressure and embrace challenges is attributed to the confidence he built over the previous year, which included a semi-final run at the US Open and successful title wins. As Draper prepares for his next match against Aleksandar Vukic, he reflects on the importance of maintaining composure amidst external distractions and the exhilarating nature of playing in high-stakes situations.