Leon Smith has not dominated out Jack Draper making a swift return to motion in Nice Britain’s Davis Cup opener in opposition to Finland on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old was resulting from arrive at Manchester’s AO Enviornment on Tuesday afternoon, 4 days after his defeat by Jannik Sinner within the semi-finals of the US Open.
Draper struggled bodily throughout the encounter, with nervousness and the humid circumstances inflicting him to vomit a number of instances on court docket.
However British captain Smith reported the British No 1 is in good well being, with a call to be made on his involvement following follow.
“Until we get on the court and start doing some stuff, it’s quite hard to tell how (he) feels,” stated Smith.
“It’s just a question of figuring out where he is at with his energy, how much tennis he can play over the course of the week. But, if he’s good to go, he’s good to go. If he’s not, I’ve got every faith in those sitting beside me now.”
Britain will tackle Finland, Argentina and Canada over the subsequent 5 days in Group D of the preliminary stage of the Davis Cup Finals, with the highest two groups progressing to the final eight in Malaga in November.
Draper’s presence is essential for the house nation, who’re on the lookout for a brand new talisman now Andy Murray has retired, whereas Cameron Norrie can be lacking as he continues to be anxious by a forearm harm.
“We are absolutely thrilled that he’s coming,” Smith stated of Draper, who made his Davis Cup debut on the identical venue final yr.
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Draper confirmed his optimism in conquering a Grand Slam as he mirrored on his semi-final exit on the US Open to Sinner
“You can tell straight away that he gets Davis Cup. He plays with passion, pride, fight, and you mix that with the fact he’s a top-20 player with unbelievable quality, he’s going to be a very important member of the team not just this week but for many, many, many years to come.
“He completely loves it and his dedication by coming right here simply reveals that.
“Obviously we miss Andy being around, just in general. He was a bedrock of the team for the last couple of decades, even put his heart and soul into one of the rubbers here last year against Switzerland.
“You can nonetheless see how a lot it meant to him then. However he isn’t forgotten is he? He is left an enormous imprint and legacy on positively me but additionally all the blokes which are sitting right here.”
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Following his run to the US Open semi-final, Martina Navratilova believes Draper can proceed to go far within the Grand Slam occasions subsequent yr
Draper is joined within the workforce by veteran Dan Evans, doubles specialist Neal Skupski and two debutants in Billy Harris and Henry Patten.
Harris, who famously spent the early a part of his profession residing in a transformed transit van whereas touring round Europe, has achieved one other first on the age of 29 whereas Patten, 28, has been rewarded for his shock Wimbledon title in males’s doubles.
Britain might be favourites to beat Finland whether or not or not Draper performs however Argentina boast spectacular energy in depth and Canada have star duo Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime of their line-up.
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Tim Henman confirmed his assist for Draper following a ruthless US Open semi-final match in opposition to Sinner
Final yr, Britain pulled off one of the dramatic victories within the historical past of the competitors when Evans and Skupski prevailed in a remaining set tie-break in opposition to France within the deciding doubles rubber to guide their spot in Malaga.
Smith is anticipating one other nail-biting week, saying: “I think it’s a really even group, and something always happens. That’s what Davis Cup is, players take their chances.
“However I actually consider we might be profitable right here. We’re actually decided to try this. All of the gamers listed below are in good confidence, enjoying nicely, so why not? We have to get after this.”
Smith will certainly be glad Britain are not in Group B, which features Australia, Czech Republic, France and hosts Spain, who are led by Carlos Alcaraz.
Defending champions Italy, who are without Sinner, are taking on the Netherlands, Belgium and Brazil in Bologna, while the USA, Germany, Slovakia and Chile are doing battle in Zhuhai.
Where is Draper playing in the rest of 2024?
It’s not yet confirmed when Draper will next be in action, but after a brief hiatus the ATP Tour swings back into action with events in China and Japan from 16 September onwards.
The Chengdu Open (ATP 250) and Hangzhou Open (ATP 250) tournaments will be live on Sky Sports Tennis from that week, followed by the China Open (ATP 500) in Beijing and Japan Open (ATP 500) in Tokyo from September 23.
All matches will be watchable on Sky Sports as Draper looks to improve his impressive form on hard courts (17 wins – 9 losses), and across the calendar year (30-18) depending on where he next decides to play.
What else is coming up on Sky Sports Tennis in September?
- Jasmin Open, Tunisia – WTA 250 (9-15 September)
- Guadalajara Open, Mexico – WTA 500 (9-15 September)
- Korea Open – WTA 500 (16 -22 September – with Emma Raducanu in action)
- Thailand Open – WTA 250 (16 -22 September)
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra dwell sport this yr at no additional value. Discover out extra right here.
