JANNIK SINNER RESPONDS AFTER JACK DRAPER CALLS OUT HIS 'GREATEST WEAKNESS' AT US OPEN

Jannik Sinner has opened up on his greatest weaknesses after US Open rival Jack Draper claimed he is "too nice". The Italian has reached his first final at Flushing Meadows after defeating an in-form Draper in New York.

British No. 1 Draper was playing in his first Grand Slam semi-final, capping an excellent year in which his own personal improvements have led to success on the court. But his combative performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium was not enough to stun Sinner, who won 7-5 7-6 6-2.

Draper, 22, has known Sinner a long time and when asked about his opponent's biggest weakness, he opted with his belief that the top-ranked star is "too nice". Quizzed on Draper's comments, Sinner insisted that his weaknesses actually include his shot selection and missing too many volleys.

He said: "Yeah, going for sure on the net, sometimes I miss some volleys. Shot selection sometimes is still... I feel like I can make it a little bit better. There are also some small things, the small details what makes a big difference in high level.

"For sure, me and my team, we know what we have to improve. Today, maybe I should have gone maybe a little bit more on the net sometimes, and all this stuff. It takes time - it's not like magic.

"You have to go through certain moments. I lost matches by doing the right things and then you have to keep working on that, and then sometimes I won matches even doing the wrong things.

"You always have to talk with your team and trying to find the right balance. I'm quite sure that I still can improve."

Draper battled hard against Sinner and insists that it is only a matter of time before his maiden Grand Slam success. The Surrey-based star is carrying the mantle for British tennis after Andy Murray's retirement.

He received medical attention against Sinner after being sick on court. "I think obviously it's a big occasion for me," Draper said.

"I definitely felt, even though I generally feel pretty relaxed, I definitely felt more excited today, a few more nerves around. I didn't have any problems before the match, but it obviously just built up."

He added: "I'm quite an anxious human being - sometimes I do feel a bit nausea on court and I do feel a little bit sick when it gets tough."

2024-09-07T12:22:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd