Jack Draper revealed he thought about the Cincinnati Masters controversy for four days and admitted that he had a hard time dealing with everything that was said about him after Felix Auger-Aliassime lost their round-of-16 match after an outrageous call.
If somehow you missed the drama that occurred in the Draper and Auger-Aliassime clash, the Briton had a match point and he was at the net when the ball appeared to hit his racket – bounce on the court – before touching the net and landing in the Canadian’s side.
Auger-Aliassime instantly looked stunned and that turned into absolute disbelief after chair umpire Greg Allensworth didn’t make any calls and refused to give it to the Canadian or at least replay it. While Auger-Aliassime was pleading his case and trying to Allensworth that it was 100 percent a double bounce, Draper claimed he was unsure if the ball went off his frame to the ground.
After a lengthy discussion, the 19th-ranked Canadian ultimately accepted that Allensworth would not change his mind. But moments after the incident, everyone was able to see that Auger-Aliassime was correct in his claims.
While Allensworth picked up the majority of the criticism, some also blasted Draper by arguing that there was no way he wouldn’t know that it was a double bounce.
Draper on the criticism and scrutiny he faced after the Auger-Aliassime match
“But honestly, in that moment, I couldn’t do anything because I didn’t know – that was the honest truth of it. And 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. And that I would have done this, and I would have done that,” Draper told The Guardian.
“It’s hard in that situation to know what to do and also it’s good because it’s my first experience of having negativity and having criticism, and that’s all part of being a top athlete.”
Following the Auger-Aliassime match, Draper easily lost to Holger Rune 4-6 2-6 in the Cincinnati quarterfinal.
This week, Draper is set to return to action by taking on Zhang Zhizhen in the US Open first round.