Jack Draper accused of losing the plot and delaying Australian Open match in unruly scenes

Jack Draper lost his temper in a moment of rage during his third round victory over Aleksandar Vukic at the Australian Open. The British No.1 faced off against the home favourite at Melbourne Park on Friday – his second match in a row against an Australian opponent. Jack Draper signalled to the crowd shortly after bursting into a fit of rage during his third round match on Friday With the match locked as one set each and facing set point, Draper quickly became pantomime villain after smashing his racket in frustration. His antics caused delay to the next point as Draper was forced to grab a replacement racket but it only served to draw a chorus of boos from the home crowd. Rather than quietly accept the jeers, Draper opted to give as good as he got by giving it back to the crowd. His back and forth with the spectators led to commentators claiming he had ‘lost the plot’. It stemmed from Draper’s failure to capitalise on two break-back points and the opportunity to get back on serve with Vukic leading 6-5. With Vukic 40-30 up and serving for the set, the disappointment became too much for Draper to bear who proceeded to obliterate his racket. TV commentators were far from impressed with Draper’s show of petulance and appeared concerned that he was becoming too embroiled in the melee. Jo Durie said: “Just spilling over for Draper right now,” as he reached for another racket. Meanwhile, Chris Bradnam added: “Makes absolutely sure it’s a goner. What he has done is delay this next point and it’s set point. He’s inviting trouble, isn’t he.” Durie then replied: “Jack’s just losing the plot a bit unfortunately. Draper’s frustration boiled over in the as he let two break-back points slip in the third set Draper racket was unsalvageable after he finished letting out his rage “He needs to get himself together quickly. The crowd are really into this now… it’s going to be tough for Draper.” However, once the incident had subsided and after he was slapped with a code violation for his actions, Draper returned only to see his opponent claim the point he needed to take the third set 7-5. But Draper put all distractions aside to edge a five-set thriller (6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6, 7-6) to set up a fourth-round clash with Carlos Alcaraz. It’s not the first time the 23-year-old has been involved in an altercation with the crowd this week. The Brit also had a run-in with the Aussies when he faced Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round which saw him rile up the home faithful by touching his ear. He later said: “It was a tough atmosphere to deal with. You guys were obviously all with Thanasi but I had a little fun back as well!”

Jan 17, 2025 - 15:59

Jack Draper accused of losing the plot and delaying Australian Open match in unruly scenes

Jack Draper lost his temper in a moment of rage during his third round victory over Aleksandar Vukic at the Australian Open.

The British No.1 faced off against the home favourite at Melbourne Park on Friday – his second match in a row against an Australian opponent.

Jack Draper signalled to the crowd shortly after bursting into a fit of rage during his third round match on Friday

With the match locked as one set each and facing set point, Draper quickly became pantomime villain after smashing his racket in frustration.

His antics caused delay to the next point as Draper was forced to grab a replacement racket but it only served to draw a chorus of boos from the home crowd.

Rather than quietly accept the jeers, Draper opted to give as good as he got by giving it back to the crowd.

His back and forth with the spectators led to commentators claiming he had ‘lost the plot’.

It stemmed from Draper’s failure to capitalise on two break-back points and the opportunity to get back on serve with Vukic leading 6-5.

With Vukic 40-30 up and serving for the set, the disappointment became too much for Draper to bear who proceeded to obliterate his racket.

TV commentators were far from impressed with Draper’s show of petulance and appeared concerned that he was becoming too embroiled in the melee.

Jo Durie said: “Just spilling over for Draper right now,” as he reached for another racket.

Meanwhile, Chris Bradnam added: “Makes absolutely sure it’s a goner. What he has done is delay this next point and it’s set point. He’s inviting trouble, isn’t he.”

Durie then replied: “Jack’s just losing the plot a bit unfortunately.

Draper’s frustration boiled over in the as he let two break-back points slip in the third set

Draper racket was unsalvageable after he finished letting out his rage

“He needs to get himself together quickly. The crowd are really into this now… it’s going to be tough for Draper.”

However, once the incident had subsided and after he was slapped with a code violation for his actions, Draper returned only to see his opponent claim the point he needed to take the third set 7-5.

But Draper put all distractions aside to edge a five-set thriller (6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6, 7-6) to set up a fourth-round clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

It’s not the first time the 23-year-old has been involved in an altercation with the crowd this week.

The Brit also had a run-in with the Aussies when he faced Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round which saw him rile up the home faithful by touching his ear.

He later said: “It was a tough atmosphere to deal with. You guys were obviously all with Thanasi but I had a little fun back as well!”