British tennis player Jack Draper showcased remarkable composure, akin to that of former Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou, as he navigated an intense Australian Open match against local favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis. Draper, seeded 15th, emerged victorious after a grueling five-set battle on John Cain Arena, culminating in scores of 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 over a four-and-a-half-hour contest.
Reflecting on the match, Draper admitted it was challenging to remain focused amid the raucous atmosphere created by the Melbourne crowd. After breaking Kokkinakis at a crucial moment in the fifth set, Draper quipped with the crowd by cupping his ears as Kokkinakis, serving to stay in the match, conceded the break to love.
Draper embraced the hostilities from the crowd, describing them as part of the “entertainment” aspect of sports. He drew inspiration from a recent FA Cup match involving Ange Postecoglou, who faced similar crowd provocations yet remained unfazed on the sidelines.
While Draper found amusement in the crowd antics, he acknowledged the verbal barrage had its moments, though he refrained from repeating specific remarks. Drawing energy from the experience, Draper expressed his readiness for more spirited encounters as he anticipated facing Sydney’s Aleksandar Vukic in the next round.
Despite Kokkinakis’s valiant effort, an issue with a recurring injury hampered his performance, leading to Draper advancing further in the tournament. The Briton relishes the challenge of facing an enthusiastic Australian crowd once again, hopeful that the adversities on-court will fuel his performance against Vukic.