Jack Draper on his friendship with Jannik Sinner: "There's a lot of emotional ups and downs, it started through messages"

Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper are in the middle of strong runs at the 2024 US Open. While the former has equaled his best performance at the tournament by reaching the last eight, the latter also booked his spot in a maiden Slam quarterfinal.

The two have been around the Tour together for a few years now. The Briton says that as fellow juniors, they like to keep in touch and often exchange text messages. He added that being young athletes playing an “incredibly tough” sport, it’s important to have that sort of camaraderie between players as it helps them navigate the emotional ups and downs.

"Since I've been on the tour, obviously seeing each other in the changing rooms and, you know, just say hi to each other, um, I think, you know, we keep in touch on text," Jack Draper said.

"And I think just in general, We're obviously young, we're playing this incredibly tough sport, you know, there's a, there's a lot of emotional ups and downs. There's a lot of tough moments," he added.

Draper also recalled them sending each other messages of support during good and bad moments throughout their careers, saying that's how their friendship grew stronger.

"I think it started through, you know, sending messages to each other when we're having bad moments or good moments."

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"I loved being on court with him" - Jack Draper on playing doubles with Jannik Sinner in Montreal

Jack Draper had played doubles with Jannik Sinner (pictured) in Montreal - Getty Images

Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper had paired up for doubles in Montreal. The two went undefeated, winning their first two matches before giving their opponents a walkover in the quarterfinals.

Draper said he loved being on the court with Sinner before expressing hope for being able to partner with him again. He heaped further praise on the Italian, saying he is “kind” and “genuine”.

"It was a was a real good thing that we played doubles in Montreal. I loved being on court with him," Jack Draper said. "Yeah, it was, it was strange being on court with someone obviously that good, you know, we played great doubles."

"Hopefully I get to play with him again but I think as a as a person he's incredibly kind, genuine, funny, and you know, that's more important than being the great player," he added.

Sinner will take on US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals, while Draper will clash with Alex de Minaur for a spot in the last four.