Jack Draper admitted he missed the ‘stinky shoes’ of Andy Murray after his sensational US Open victory over Tomas Machac on Monday.
The 22-year-old has made the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career after a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 win at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Draper is a man on the up these days and is widely seen as the heir to Andy Murray’s throne.
And he paid tribute to his fellow Briton after his pulsating win while joking that he missed Murray’s ‘stinky shoes’.
Jack Draper admitted he missed the ‘stinky shoes’ of Andy Murray after his sensational US Open victory over Tomas Machac on Monday
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“I obviously miss Andy, shout out to Andy, what an unbelievable career the guy’s had,” he said.
“An icon of the game. I miss him in the changing rooms, I miss being next to his stinky shoes and all his stinky clothes!
“But Andy is a legend and if I have half the career he’s had I’ll be a happy man.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
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Draper had lost his previous three meetings against Machac.
But he put those performances firmly behind him to produce a wonderful display, one that will likely put his rivals on red alert.
Draper admitted that he thought he played at a ‘decent level’ after his stirrring victory.
And he also expressed a belief that Machac wasn’t at his best as he booked his place in the last eight of his competition.
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“I thought the last few times it’s been a really tough battle,” he said.
“Today, I thought I played a decent level. I thought he was maybe a little bit off his best.
“But I had to stay strong in the points and, you know, it’s just amazing to play out here at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
“I lost here last year in the same round so it’s nice to come back here and do better this year.”
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Jack Draper produced one of the best performances of his career to blow Tomas Machac away at the US Open
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Draper is now just three victories away from emulating the likes of Murray and Emma Raducanu by going all the way at New York.
And the 22-year-old is relishing the pressure as he looks to secure Grand Slam glory.
“I just need to keep going,” he said.
Jack Draper beat Tomas Machac in straight sets to advance to the quarter-finals of the US Open
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“I’ve got amazing people around me and I love playing here in New York with such amazing fans always getting behind and supporting the fans.
“I just go through it again.
“I love playing on these big stages and look forward to coming out here on Wednesday.”
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