Jack Draper admits to 'illegal shot' at Cincinnati Open, says criticism led to 'difficult time'
Published 25/08/2024 at 22:58 GMT+1
British No. 1 and world No. 25 Jack Draper admits he had a "difficult time" after his controversial winning point against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open. After seeing a replay, Draper admits the ball did hit the ground before crossing the net, but proclaimed "I know my truth and that's that I didn't know" what had happened at the time.
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British No. 1 Jack Draper has admitted to hitting an "illegal shot" on match point against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open, but reiterated he "did not know in that moment what had happened".
Draper was subject to criticism for failing to call his foul following his controversial winning point, but acknowledged it was incorrectly awarded after viewing replays after the match.
The Englishman appeared to miss a volley at the net, which he shanked off the edge of his racket, onto the floor and over the net. Umpire Greg Allensworth awarded the point to Draper, much to the disbelief of his opponent.
Auger-Aliassime voiced his dismay at the call in a lengthy discussion at the net, convinced the ball had bounced on Draper's side of the court.
"When we saw the replay, it was clearly an illegal shot," Draper told BBC Sport.
The 22-year-old was subject to criticism online and from fellow players, including Nick Kyrgios, following the incident. Many questioned the truth of his statement that he was unsure where the ball bounced.
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Draper continued: "It's all part of being a great player, people are going to question you and I don't blame them for that.
"Do I necessarily agree with what they're saying? No, because I was in the situation and I know my truth and that's that I didn't know."
At the time, the world No. 25 said he was unsure whether the ball bounced on his side of the court, telling his opponent: "If there was a replay I would replay it, but I don't know… I was looking at you."
His opponent replied: "Jack, you know. It doesn't matter where you were looking, you've played enough to know when you hit it, you know where it went."
There was no replay technology available in Cincinnati, meaning the point stood, but Draper reiterated to his opponent he "would have 100% replayed the point" if the replay proved the call incorrect.
"It was difficult for four or five days afterwards," Draper added. "It's slowly moving on - it was the first time I've experienced criticism and [had] my integrity questioned as an athlete.
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"It's freedom of speech at the end of the day, people can have their opinion and can say what they feel and think.
"It is difficult seeing that criticism but being a top athlete you are going to be subject to certain situations where you are going to receive criticism."
Draper commended his opponent for handling the situation with "great maturity and complete class", stating it was a difficult situation for Auger-Aliassime.
"It would have been easy for him to fly off the hook and feel extremely hard done by, which he was at the end of the day, looking back at the slow-mo - it was an illegal shot in a big point in the match, obviously being match point," he added.
"I know my truth and that's that in that situation, I really did not know in that moment what had happened."
Draper begins his quest for the US Open title against China's Zhang Zhizhen on Tuesday.
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