When Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori lifted the US Open mixed doubles trophy this week, their victory wasn’t the only story making headlines. British player Jack Draper found himself at the center of controversy after initially calling the tournament “exhibition-like,” then completely reversing his stance as the competition intensified.
The drama surrounding his comments and aggressive playing style revealed deeper tensions about how seriously players should take the revamped mixed doubles format.
What Did Jack Draper Say About the Revamped Mixed Doubles Format?
During his Day 1 press conference alongside partner Jessica Pegula, Draper made an offhand comment that would follow him throughout the tournament. The World No. 5 described their mixed doubles performance as “a bit of an exhibition format,” immediately prompting Pegula to jump in with a correction.
“You shouldn’t be saying that, but that’s okay,” Pegula told him, later emphasizing firmly, “it’s not an exhibition.” The exchange drew laughter from reporters as Draper appeared genuinely confused about what he had said wrong. However, his perspective would dramatically shift as the tournament progressed and the stakes became clearer.
Following Wednesday’s semifinal loss to Iga Świątek and Casper Ruud, Draper had completely changed his tune. The same player who had casually dismissed the format’s seriousness was now defending the competitive integrity of mixed doubles.
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“I think yesterday there was times where it felt a little bit more that way from our opponents, like a little bit more,” Draper explained after the semifinal. “It wasn’t, whereas tonight we were in the changing rooms, you’re seeing Iga and Casper, they’re like fully dialed in. They’re fully dialed in.”
The about-face revealed how the tournament’s atmosphere had evolved. What started as a potentially lighthearted exhibition had transformed into a serious competition, with players treating matches as must-win situations rather than casual showcases.
How Did Draper’s Aggressive Approach Create Controversy?
Throughout the tournament, Draper’s intensity became as much of a story as his results. As the top seed alongside Pegula, he dominated early rounds but drew criticism for his overly serious approach to what many viewed as an entertainment-focused format.
The controversy peaked during their opening match against Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz. Draper and Pegula dismantled the British-Spanish pair 4-2, 4-2 in just 51 minutes, but Draper’s tactical decisions sparked debate. He consistently targeted Raducanu with his serves and shots, treating his fellow Brit as any other opponent rather than showing the courtesy some expected in mixed doubles.
Fans noticed the strategy immediately, with observers commenting that “he was targeting her the whole match.” The approach created visible tension, culminating in an awkward post-match handshake between the British players. Raducanu avoided the customary hug and offered only a brief, cold handshake before quickly moving on.
This tactical approach wasn’t limited to one match. Draper and Pegula continued their ruthless efficiency in the quarterfinals, defeating Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva 4-1, 4-1. Their partnership proved remarkably effective despite having barely spoken before the tournament, with both players acknowledging they had discovered “something special” together on court.
The combination of dominance and intensity ultimately carried them to the semifinals, where they faced Świątek and Ruud. After building an 8-4 lead in the deciding tiebreak, they suffered a crushing defeat, losing 3-5, 5-3, [10-8] to the eventual runners-up.
By the end, Draper was firmly defending the competitive nature of the event. “The people who come to watch the mixed event and fill up the crowd, they want to see really good tennis,” he stated. “Yeah, it ain’t an exhibition.” His journey from dismissive participant to passionate advocate perfectly captured how the US Open’s revamped mixed doubles format had evolved from novelty to serious competition, with players and fans alike discovering that even exhibition-style tournaments can produce genuine drama and intensity.
