“Let them win,” Jack Draper’s sportsmanship comes on display after refusing to retire against Rafael Nadal

Jack Draper felt cramps during the third set of the first round match against Rafael Nadal; however, he stood his ground but lost the fourth set and the match. He later gave reasons for deciding not to retire.

“Let them win,” Jack Draper’s sportsmanship comes on display after refusing to retire against Rafael Nadal

Jack Draper (Image Credit: EuroSport)

The Rod Laver Arena crowd got its worth of entertainment when the World No.2 and World No.38 met in the first round of the Australian Open 2023. Even though, the crowd was behind Rafael Nadal, he had to wrestle against Jack Draper in the first three sets. It was one of the toughest first round matches for the former World No.1 in any tournament in his career.

Rafael Nadal won the match with the scoreline 7-5, 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 against Jack Draper. However, it was the cramps in the third set which made it difficult for the young British to compete against the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

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It was late into the third set of the match, and he began to feel pain in his muscles. The pain was so hard for him to bear as he could not move with as much agility as he was able to until that point in time. However, he decides not to retire. Although, he could not win either the fourth set or the match, he became an inspiration for many.

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“I’ve learnt over time just don’t retire in that situation, like, let them win the match as they probably are going to. Even if I’m in a lot of pain, just get through the match and let him have the win like he should do. Otherwise retirement, you retired, whatever… Just finish the match,” he answered when he was asked why he decided against retiring.

“No, I feel like if you’re maybe 3-1 down or 2-1 down in a fourth set after three and a half hours, the other guy’s had to work hard to get in that position,” he continued.

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Even Rafael Nadal is impressed with Jack Draper’s courage

Rafael Nadal and Jack Draper (Image Credit: NDTV Sports)
Rafael Nadal and Jack Draper (Image Credit: NDTV Sports)

Rafael Nadal entered into the Australian Open 2023 with a single motive, i.e., to win the title. He did win it last time he came here. He defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final to clinch his career’s second Australian Open title in a five-set thriller. However, this time it is different. He is struggling with both form and fitness. So, he understands Jack Draper’s ordeal.

Jack Draper wanted to come to Australia with a few practice matches behind him. However, due to illness, he could not take to the court in the off-season for a considerable period of time.

“Going to this trip in Australia, I was very undercooked, to be honest. After last year, I was really excited about doing a good pre-season. It’s a good chance to get five weeks of really good training, especially with my new fitness trainer, who is amazing. I had two viral infections so had to be on antibiotics on two occasions. Lost five of those seven weeks,” he stated.

But still the way he conducted himself earned him appreciation from even one of the greatest tennis players in the world.

“I played against one of the toughest opponents possible in the first round being seeded. He’s young, he has the power and I think he has a great future in front of him. We’re gonna see him playing a lot of years here and having very good results,” Rafael Nadal said.

While Jack Draper will head home and start his workout to get fit for the next tournament, Rafael Nadal will take on World No.65 Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open 2023.

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