Jack Draper’s partner in the mixed doubles, Jessica Pegula, expressed regret to the British player following an error she made during the US Open semi-finals, which ultimately cost them a shot at the $1 million prize at Flushing Meadows.

Draper and Pegula showcased their skills at the Grand Slam event, defeating strong opponents such as Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu in straight sets, followed by a dominant 4-1, 4-1 victory over Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva.

Facing off against highly ranked players Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Draper and Pegula started on a positive note by securing the first set 5-3. However, their opponents fought back in the second set, forcing a tiebreak where Draper and Pegula initially held the advantage.

Despite leading 8-4 in the tiebreak that extended to 10 points, Draper and Pegula faltered, losing six consecutive points and allowing Swiatek and Ruud to advance to the final, eliminating them from the competition.

Pegula’s crucial mistake came when she attempted a volley against a shot from Swiatek, which led to the Wimbledon champion sealing the victory with a powerful winner, despite Draper being well-positioned to return the ball.

Following the match, Pegula expressed her remorse, acknowledging her disappointment at letting Draper down and emphasizing her desire to continue playing with him, highlighting their strong rapport and camaraderie on the court.

Draper, however, refused to place blame on his partner, commending Pegula for her exceptional performance in the first set where he felt he had underperformed. He emphasized their teamwork, the enjoyable experience they shared, and the mutual support they provided each other during the match.

This incident followed a previous exchange where Pegula reprimanded Draper for referring to mixed doubles as an “exhibition format” earlier in the tournament. She later apologized for her response during a press conference.