Carlos Alcaraz shows his class with message for Jack Draper after British No 1's Australian Open withdrawal
Watch now: Aidan Magee discusses the latest sport headlines
Carlos Alcaraz expressed sympathy for his opponent Jack Draper after the Briton was forced to retire from their Australian Open match.
"It's not the way I want to win the match to get through to the next round," he said.
"I'm just happy obviously to play another quarter-final here but I'm a little bit sad for Jack, he doesn't deserve to get injured.
"I'm just a little bit sad for him, and for sure he's going to come back stronger. I just want to wish him a speedy recovery."
Carlos Alcaraz sent a touching message to Jack Draper
REUTERS
Alcaraz advanced to the Australian Open quarter-finals Draper's withdrawal, who was trailing the Spaniard 7-5, 6-1 before leaving the court.
The match lasted just one hour and 35 minutes before Draper was forced to withdraw, marking Alcaraz's second consecutive quarter-final appearance in Melbourne.
The world No 2 had been leading comfortably when his British opponent called time on the contest.
Draper had been struggling with a hip injury before the tournament, which had disrupted his off-season preparation.
The British player had fought through three gruelling five-set matches in his opening rounds.
The injury had previously prevented Draper from attending a planned training week in Spain with Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz also wrote a message on a camera
REUTERS
Despite showing tremendous resilience in earlier matches, the physical toll proved too much for Draper, who required medical attention during the match before ultimately being forced to retire.
Alcaraz showed strong form throughout the match, despite a brief moment of frustration over a towel warning in the first set.
"I'm just happy with the level I'm playing. Physically, I'm feeling great," the Spaniard said.
Alcaraz even wrote a touching message on a courtside videocamera directed at Draper as he walked off the court.
“You will be where you deserved. Get well soon Jack!" the message read.
The two-time Grand Slam champion revealed he was wearing throwback footwear inspired by tennis legend Andre Agassi.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Jack Draper has been struggling with a hip issue
REUTERS
When asked about the shoes, Alcaraz expressed admiration for more than just Agassi's fashion choices.
"I said many times, I think the return from Agassi would be great if I could add that to my game," he joked.
Alcaraz will now face Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals after the Serbian defeated Jiri Lehecka.
It will be the first match-up between the two rivals since the Paris Olympics final when Djokovic won the gold medal match.
You may like
