Jack Draper: From Teenage Temper to US Open Semi-Finalist

Like many teenagers, Jack Draper wasn’t immune to sulking on the tennis court. There were moments of frustration—broken racquets, angry self-criticism, and the occasional need to apologize to umpires. But for Draper, these episodes were part of the growing pains on his journey to becoming a US Open semi-finalist.

"His temper boiled over at times," chuckled Justin Sherring, Draper’s coach from ages five to 15. Sherring recalls the early days when Draper’s intensity often got the better of him. “Did I have to call his racquet manufacturer a few times and say, ‘Oops, Jack’s racquets have snapped on the stringing machines’? Yes. Did we have cross words? Yes. But that’s how it goes. Looking back, I’m glad he went through that.”

For Draper, those moments of frustration were fueled by a “burning desire” to succeed, a desire that sometimes manifested as youthful outbursts. But as Sherring reflects, these instances were essential in shaping the British number one’s mindset and resilience.

One particularly memorable incident occurred during the prestigious Orange Bowl youth tournament in the United States. Draper, feeling the pressure during a match, grew visibly nervous, and as tensions ran high, he jokingly flipped his middle finger at Sherring—a gesture that spoke more to the close bond they shared than genuine anger. However, after the match, Draper’s playful antics continued, and Sherring decided to give him some space, leaving him to walk back to the hotel alone.

Half an hour later, Draper knocked on his coach’s door, ready to make amends. “I opened the door, and Jack’s standing there with a water gun,” Sherring recalled with a laugh. “He starts zapping me, and there’s another water gun on the floor for me—quite considerate, really—so I picked it up and chased him.”

Such playful moments, though light-hearted, were part of Draper’s emotional development. Now, at 22, Draper has channeled that energy and passion into his game, evolving from the teenager who grappled with his temper to a mature athlete on the brink of tennis greatness.

Sherring, looking back on their journey together, sees those years of growth and frustration as crucial stepping stones. “When you have this burning desire and feel greatness rumbling in your soul, you get frustrated,” he said. And Draper’s frustration has indeed given way to focused determination, propelling him to the upper echelons of the sport.

As Draper steps onto the court in his first US Open semi-final, the fiery teenager who once wielded water guns and broke racquets is now a composed, battle-hardened competitor. His journey from those youthful outbursts to Grand Slam contender is a testament to his perseverance—and the guidance of a coach who understood the importance of patience, even when water fights were involved.