While serving in the third set of his first-round match at the US Open on Monday, rising British star Jack Draper provided a shocking visual when he vomited on court. The incident quickly drew international headlines around the world and had fans in shock. He mishandled the pressure and the ensuing attack sharpened doubts about his mettle under fire, a war that has tormented Draper over the course of his lifetime.
Draper, who has gained a reputation for being extremely high strung, had made the semis at last year’s US Open. He encountered the same issues in his semifinal against Jannik Sinner. With sickness as his only opponent, he vomited three times on route to victory. This thing where his physical body, with physical symptoms, responds to this mental stressor has been a huge issue for him.
Through all of these adversities and challenges, Draper has proven over the past several years that he is a fierce competitor on the national landscape. His determination to close the gap on top players like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz has been evident, especially this year as he has undergone a notable physical transformation. Draper now flashes an intimidating build, biceps straining through his sleeves after countless hours of hard work in the gym.
Injuries have impacted his performance. Draper unfortunately had to pull out of the tournament after injuring himself in his match against Gómez. This meant Zizou Bergs moved into the third round by walkover. The withdrawal only compounded the disappointment for Draper as the young man was looking forward to proving himself this season.
When reflecting on his recent illness, Draper said the experience was a result of the perfect storm of circumstances. He stated, “I’m definitely someone who is, I think, quite an anxious human being.” This sense of dread always seems to strike most during elimination games, the true apex of sports anxiety with the stakes never higher.
Dr. Phil Hopley, a psychiatrist with deep ties to athletes’ mental health, reacted to Draper’s story. “What is happening is that under pressure, under stress, [Draper’s] brain is responding in a certain way,” he explained. He explained that this kind of response causes the body to release cortisol and adrenaline—performance-enhancing hormones.
Dr. Hopley recalled that Draper’s stress profile seems to correlate most with his GI tract, noting that this is common. “Unfortunately for him, his stress profile seems to connect very strongly with his stomach,” he said. He further explained that many athletes experience similar reactions, noting, “People sometimes talk about the gut-brain connection,” and acknowledged that it’s a well-documented phenomenon.
As Draper deals with his mental and physical hurdles, he’s focused on becoming the best player he can be. “I try my best all the time to keep on evolving, to keep on learning,” he remarked. He believes that mental and physical resiliency are the most important ingredients in a successful tennis career.
Draper’s experiences speak to a pervasive issue that all athletes—including many of us—still battle especially when the stakes are high. He elaborated on this pressure by stating, “Obviously, that doesn’t necessarily help a lot of the times… so it’s definitely just something that is a real strength of mine but a weakness.”
Whatever the path to overcoming his sickness problem, it might take Draper to go inside his mind. Dr. Hopley advised that “everything that [Draper] can do to reduce that level of perceived pressure” will be beneficial for him in the long run. The psychiatrist’s insights provide a framework for understanding how athletes like Draper can manage their mental health while striving for excellence in their sport.
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