US Open mixed doubles fans got more than tennis action on Tuesday evening—they got a front-row seat to Jack Draper’s charmingly awkward press conference.
The British No. 1 left his partner, American star Jessica Pegula, scrambling to correct a cheeky slip of the tongue during media questions, giving reporters and fans a peek at their off-court chemistry.
From Last-Minute Pairings to Semi-Finals
Draper and Pegula, nicknamed “Dragula” online, have been a whirlwind pairing at the tournament.
Their semi-final spot followed wins over the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, as well as Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva.
Draper’s mixed doubles journey had been a rollercoaster.
Originally paired with Chinese gold medallist Zheng Qinwen, he was later lined up with Paula Badosa—who herself had parted ways with Stefanos Tsitsipas.
After both partners withdrew due to injury or personal reasons, Draper found himself teamed with Pegula, who had also been left without a partner when Tommy Paul stepped out.
Despite the last-minute nature of their pairing, Draper and Pegula clicked instantly on court, proving the chemistry was real.
A Press Conference Full of Awkward Moments
During a press conference celebrating their semi-final achievement, Draper’s words left Pegula laughing and slightly facepalming.
When asked what winning the title and the $1 million prize would mean, Draper started talking about the tournament feeling “like a bit of an exhibition.”
Pegula quickly jumped in to clarify: “He shouldn’t be saying that, but it’s okay.”
Draper, initially confused, tried to backtrack while keeping the mood light: “It’s a bit of an exhibition, a bit of fun. Why am I so locked in? It’s a good opportunity to play, do well, get a lot of points…”
Pegula reassured him she wasn’t criticising, just laughing at the “exhibition” comment.
Draper then realized there were no mixed doubles rankings or points at stake, further highlighting his endearing inexperience in this event.
Tournament Format and Mixed Doubles Changes
The US Open’s revamped mixed doubles format has sparked debate.
Shortened “fast four” sets without deuce points, plus high-profile singles players paired at the last minute, have left traditional doubles players questioning the changes.
Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori have voiced concerns, suggesting the new format has made things difficult for established doubles specialists.
For fans, though, the mix of top singles stars in doubles has made for exciting viewing—and it’s given players like Draper and Pegula a chance to form new on-court partnerships.
Building a Partnership From Scratch
Before being paired, Draper admitted he and Pegula had exchanged only “four words, tops.”
Now, after a weekend of matches, he feels their approaches to tennis align closely.
The pair will return to the court Wednesday evening to face Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in a semi-final showdown, with the final slated for later the same evening.
Draper’s On-Court Style
Sporting his new Vuori apparel and ASICS shoes, Draper has shown both skill and a playful off-court personality.
His combination of talent and awkward charm has quickly won over fans, while Pegula has proven herself a patient and supportive partner, both on and off the court.
