{"id":89061,"date":"2025-08-20T10:50:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T14:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=89061"},"modified":"2025-08-20T10:50:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T14:50:18","slug":"jack-draper-us-open-mixed-doubles-jessica-pegula","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2025\/08\/20\/jack-draper-us-open-mixed-doubles-jessica-pegula\/","title":{"rendered":"Jack Draper Calls US Open Mixed Doubles “An Exhibition,” Gets Scolded by Partner Jessica Pegula"},"content":{"rendered":"

While everyone was eager to see Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu in action, the couple that stole the show on the first day of the mixed doubles tournament at the US Open<\/a> was Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper.<\/p>\n

Seeded No. 1 and ironically nicknamed \u201cDragula\u201d–a blend of their last names (and a nod to the famous vampire)–they not only defeated Alcaraz\/Raducanu in straight sets, but also overcame Andreeva\/Medvedev, booking a spot in the semifinals.<\/p>\n

Draper<\/a> and Pegula<\/a> showed good chemistry on court, though where they really hit it off was in the press conference. Despite barely knowing each other before this week, they appeared quite at ease together and gave answers that were both fun and insightful.<\/p>\n

Draper\u2019s \u201cExhibition\u201d Comment<\/h2>\n

“Obviously it\u2019s a bit of an exhibition format. It\u2019s nice to play with someone, to get to know\u2026” Draper said, before being interrupted by his partner.<\/p>\n

As soon as she heard those words, Pegula couldn\u2019t help but smile and scold him, almost like a mother would (not that Pegula could be Draper\u2019s mother, since she\u2019s only seven years older, to be clear). “He shouldn\u2019t be saying that, but that\u2019s okay,” she remarked.<\/p>\n

Draper looked a bit confused, unsure what she was referring to. When Pegula whispered the word \u201cexhibition\u201d through laughter, the Brit quickly tried to correct himself.<\/p>\n

“No, no, but like, you\u2019re saying to have a bit of fun with it and stuff… I don\u2019t know, I like winning. It\u2019s good to win, right?” Pegula agreed, but clarified: “It\u2019s not an exhibition.”<\/p>\n

Draper then admitted: “That\u2019s what I keep hearing. It\u2019s a bit of an exhibition, a bit of fun.”<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m enjoying being locked in. I don\u2019t know why it\u2019s a crime,” he added, prompting Pegula to explain: “It\u2019s fine. I was just laughing at the exhibition part.”<\/p>\n

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A post shared by TNT Sports (@tntsports)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n