Jack Draper admits “it is tough” being a Manchester United fan after the club’s shaky start to the new Premier League season

British No.1 Jack Draper is disheartened by his favorite soccer club, Manchester United, losing to Brighton 1-2 in their second match of the new Premier League season. While Draper was excited after United beat Fulham in their opener, the defeat against Brighton has left him disappointed. Nevertheless, he is still optimistic about his team’s chances with a long season ahead.

The ‘Red Devils’ have not got the best start of the season. Although they have a win in two matches, Manchester United are not even in the top ten of the points table. They have accumulated three points with a goal difference of zero.

Talking to Sky Sports, Draper expressed his feelings as a United fan. He said it is tough to take the defeat against Brighton. Draper also recalled how his friends taunted him after the match.

Yeah, it's obviously difficult. It is actually funny. I was in Cincinnati and I got a few messages from people saying, 'We were watching a proper sport on TV, and all of a sudden you have interrupted the stream.' You know it's tough to take it as a Man United fan but obviously, it's a long season ahead. So, hopefully, we keep on going and try to win.

Jack Draper said to Sky Sports

Draper also spoke about his mindset going into the 2024 US Open and how optimistic he is about his chances. The Briton said the focus will be on one match at a time.

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Jack Draper has had a decent season so far. The British No.1, who achieved his career-high ranking (25) this month, has taken his game a step higher and the results are out there for him. The 22-year-old is now entering the 2024 US Open with optimism. But he is also hurt and bruised by the accusations put against him following the Cincinnati Masters controversy.

As the Briton won a point against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the most bizarre way possible, Draper was labeled a ‘cheater’. Although he was ready to replay the point being self-proclaimingly unaware of how he got the ball across the net, the chair umpire stayed with his decision of awarding him the point. But Draper was still called out, and it has left him hurt.

Questioning your integrity and stuff like that – it’s obviously difficult to see...I think anyone would be lying if they’re saying they’re not hurt by seeing a lot of comments saying you’re a cheat, you’re a liar.

Jack Draper said about him being labeled cheater for Cincinnati Open controversy. (H/T: The Guardian)

Draper will look to put this ‘incident’ behind and focus on the positives that lie ahead of him. The Briton is entering the US Open as a seeded player for the first time and would want to make the most of this opportunity. It won’t be easy though, with Draper pitted against Zhang Zhizhen of China in the first round.

In case you missed it!

• Dominic Thiem blames the Big Three for his wrist injury that forced him to announce retirement at 30
• “I hope people understand,” Jannik Sinner looks forward to the US Open despite the ongoing doping controversy

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