JACK DRAPER hopes he can say ‘PASTA la Vista, Baby’ to cooking pal Jannik Sinner tonight in the Big Apple.
Tennis rivals and doubles partners on the court, the pair are close friends off it, often texting each other and sharing culinary advice.
Facing the World No.1 in the US Open semi-finals represents the biggest challenge of Draper’s life.
While he has not dropped a set so far in this excellent New York adventure, the Sutton southpaw knows this evening is the toughest proposition he can undertake right now in the sport.
And though this is their second meeting as professionals, the duo know each other well, particularly when it comes to the kitchen.
Draper’s mum Nicky revealed: “They have become good friends, they played doubles together.
“They have shared the odd dinner together. Jannik has made Jake pasta and taught him how to cook. They are young boys, aren’t they?
“Jake played him three years ago at Queen’s Club. He lost the first four games, so he was 4-0 down, even though he was playing well.
“Then suddenly he turned it around and won the match 7-6 7-6. It was on grass and Jannik wasn’t particularly used to grass then.”
Teacher Nicky was Draper’s first coach and still gives him advice, even how to deliver topspin lobs to opponents.
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She claims she saw her youngest son’s enormous talent when he was still in NAPPIES.
Older brother Ben played the sport, too, but is now an agent with IMG.
Nicky said: “You wouldn’t believe it but he was about one year old when he picked up a racquet.
“He used to hit the ball against our garage door, sometimes with his right hand, sometimes with his left hand.
“There are even videos of me saying: ‘Jake, are you right-handed or left-handed? As you are hitting it with both hands!’
“Jack could connect when he was one, which was quite phenomenal really. He was copying his brother, who was three years old.
“He did a range of sports at school, he could hit a tennis ball, but also a golf ball, a football and a cricket ball.
“He has had to sacrifice so much. The places he has been to, sharing rooms with people he doesn’t even know, going places where the food maybe is not the best.
“Jack was maybe getting ill, playing in tennis environments where it is almost like a building site.
“It’s a very lonely life, very hard. You have to grow up very, very quickly. Not a normal environment for a young kid.”
Draper will bank £2.7million in prize moment if he reaches a maiden US Open final on Sunday and then emulates 2012 singles champion Andy Murray with victory.
Nicky told the BBC: “After he beat Alex (de Minaur), he called me within 10 minutes of the match. I think he was in the ice bath.
“I literally haven’t seen him in person for about 5-6 weeks.
“You’re hoping the hard work has gone in, but you never know when the results are going to come.
“He has always said, you have to believe in the process.
“Tennis is a brutal sport, you have got to train day-in, day-out, you cannot go on holiday, just take a break for a few days even.
“You have got to work on your speed, agility, flexibility, endurance, the mental side, it just never stops.”
Nicky has contemplated booking a late flight to the US but may end up watching the semis – and hopefully the final – off the TV at home in Surrey.
She said: “It’s in the back of my mind. But I have been watching every match with my dad and my dog.
“Swearing and cursing, jumping up and down, clapping, having a glass of wine at the same time.
“My dad has been over because his Sky TV has not been working, so we have watched it together. I am very proud of Jack.”
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