3 weeks ago
9
Jack Draper left US Open mixed doubles partner Jessica Pegula with her head in her hands on Tuesday evening after a cheeky linguistic slip-up forced the American star to have to leap to correct the British No 1.
Draper and Pegula were taking a press conference after booking their spot in the semi-finals of the new-look event, following victories over Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, and Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva.
The 23-year-old had been through a number of different partner combinations in the months since the entry lists were first announced, with Draper initially paired with Chinese gold medallist Zheng Qinwen.
Following Zheng's withdrawal due to injury, Draper was then set up to play with Paula Badosa - who herself had ended her alliance with Stefanos Tsitsipas in the wake of their real-life romantic separation.
When the Spaniard also stepped back from competing in New York due to persistent back issues, Draper was awkwardly matched with Pegula, who had been similarly jilted on-court by the withdrawal from the mixed doubles by her old partner and compatriot Tommy Paul.
The pairing quickly proved itself and more, with Pegula and Draper - or 'Dragula' as some online named the duo - showing off their natural on-court chemistry and scything their way to the final four.
Jack Draper has partnered up with Jessica Pegula for the new-look US Open mixed doubles
The number-one seeds are scything through the competition with two straight-sets wins under their belts
But Pegula was left with her head in her hands after Draper accidentally misspoke in press
But Pegula to put that chemistry to the test off-court too, thinking fast in front of reporters to stop Draper putting his foot in his mouth.
'It would mean a lot,' Draper had said when asked what it would mean to win the title and scoop the staggering $1million prize.
But rather than stopping there, Draper continued: 'Obviously it is like a bit of an exhibition format. It's nice to play with someone, to get to know them...'
Pegula quickly stepped in, adding: 'He shouldn't be saying that, but it's okay.'
Confused, Draper questioned: 'What? What did I say? Have a bit of fun with it. I don't know. I like winning. It's good to win, right?'
'Yeah, but it's not an exhibition,' Pegula said. 'I know what you're saying.'
Wanting to correct himself, Draper added: 'It's a bit of an exhibition, a bit of fun, why am I so locked in? It's a good opportunity to play, do well, get a lot of points in before next week.
'I'm enjoying being locked in. I don't know why it's a crime to be locked in.'
Draper is fortunate that his partner was once doubles world No 1 as well as being a top singles player
Feelgood pairing Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu were no match for their 'locked in' rivals
Draper and Pegula will now go toe-to-toe with the number-three seeds Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud
Continuing to laugh, Pegula assured her partner that she wasn't criticising his approach, adding: 'No, it's fine. I'm just laughing at the "exhibition" part.'
In another gaffe, Draper wondered aloud how the tournament would contribute to his ranking in mixed doubles, before being informed by Pegula that there were no mixed doubles rankings, nor would he be getting any points for his doubles ranking.
The US Open have gone to great pains to assure sceptics that their new-look event is not merely an exhibition tournament, but the Grand Slam contest it was before this year's changes.
But there are those who have questioned the lack of established mixed doubles partners in favour of high-profile singles pairings, and the changed format of 'fast four' - shortened sets to four without deuce points.
Fellow semi-finalists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who are the defending champions, have been among those to criticise the alterations, positing their progress through the draw as on the behalf of the 'doubles players who cannot play'.
But for fans of top singles players, the action has been exciting to watch, as well as rewarding for stars making new connections on the tour like Pegula and Draper.
Draper admitted that they had spoken 'four' words to one another 'tops' before being paired up this weekend, but said that he now believed they are 'pretty similar' in their approaches to the sport.
Draper, sporting his new sponsor Vuori and ASICS shoes, will be back on court with Pegula on Wednesday evening, facing off with world No 2 Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud for a spot in the finals - which will be played later that evening.
