The 2025 US Open kicked off with a gritty performance from British number one Jack Draper, who fought through physical challenges and a lack of match sharpness to secure a hard-earned victory in the first round on August 25, 2025. Facing Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez at Flushing Meadows, the world number five battled for just over three hours, emerging with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (7), 6-2 triumph. The win, Draper’s first singles match since a shock Wimbledon loss to Marin Cilic seven weeks prior, showcased his resilience and set up an intriguing second-round clash against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs. This performance, though not flawless, marked a significant step in Draper’s quest to replicate his breakout semi-final run at last year’s US Open.
Draper’s journey to the second round was anything but straightforward. Returning from a bone bruise in his left arm that forced him to miss key ATP 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati, the 23-year-old Londoner admitted to pre-tournament doubts. “I wasn’t too sure if I was going to make it here this year, my team did a great job,” he said, crediting his support staff for helping him recover in time. Wearing a compression sleeve on his serving arm—a visible reminder of his injury—Draper struggled with his serve, managing only a 109mph average first-serve speed, six miles per hour slower than his 2024 US Open matches. He also battled physical discomfort, vomiting on court during the third set, an issue reminiscent of his semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner the previous year. Yet, he downplayed concerns, attributing it to “potentially a bit of nervous energy” and longstanding gut issues rather than serious health problems.
The match itself was a test of endurance and mental fortitude. Gomez, ranked 203rd, proved a formidable opponent, breaking Draper early in the third set and pushing the match to a tie-break. Despite squandering a match point in the third-set tie-break, Draper regrouped after an off-court break, delivering some of his best tennis in the fourth set to seal the victory. “I needed tennis in my legs,” he admitted. “I was almost a bit happy when I lost the third because my level wasn’t amazing. Then I felt like towards the end of the fourth I started to get better and better.” His ability to raise his game when it mattered most highlighted his growth as a competitor, even as he acknowledged the rust from his seven-week competitive hiatus.
Draper’s performance wasn’t without flaws. He served five double faults, three in a single game late in the second set, and struggled to find the rhythm that carried him to last year’s semi-finals. Yet, his determination shone through, particularly in the fourth set, where flatter hitting and renewed focus overwhelmed Gomez’s explosive game. “It was a tough match,” Draper said, giving credit to his opponent. “Obviously haven’t played competitively singles-wise for a while now. Credit to him. I thought he played some good stuff at times.” The victory, while not his finest, was a testament to his ability to grind out results under pressure, a quality that bodes well for his tournament prospects.
The broader British contingent also made waves on day one. Cameron Norrie, the British number two, advanced to the second round when American Sebastian Korda retired injured, trailing 7-5, 6-4. Norrie, who missed last year’s US Open due to an arm injury, expressed mixed feelings about the win but relished the chance to watch Newcastle take on Liverpool in the Premier League afterward. “Obviously with the nerves and everything, you’re trying to get as much fuel as you can in you,” he said, reflecting on the challenge of an early 11:00 a.m. start.
As Draper looks ahead to his Thursday matchup with Bergs, he remains cautiously optimistic. Recent scans have confirmed his arm injury won’t worsen, allowing him to compete without fear of long-term damage. “As I’ve gotten closer to the tournament, me and my team, we’ve had more scans, we’re confident that I’m not doing any more damage to my arm, and I’m in a place where I can go out and compete,” he said. With his team’s support and a renewed sense of purpose, Draper is poised to build on this gritty win, aiming to reclaim the form that made him a Grand Slam contender. The US Open stage is set for more drama, and Draper’s journey is only just beginning.
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