‘It’s not easy’ – Jack Draper gives graphic insight into awkward anti-doping sessions

Jack Draper detailed the awkwardness that comes with regular anti-doping tests after reaching the second round of the French Open.

The British number one recovered from a slow start to win 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 against Mattia Bellucci to book his place in the next round.

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After the match, he was bizarrely quizzed on the struggles of having to pee in front of strangers when giving samples to be tested.

The 23-year-old went into detail about how awkward it can get as they try to give a sample to get in and out as fast as possible.

According to the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA), a minimum of 90ml of urine needs to be provided in each sample.

The athlete has to disrobe from knees to navel and from hands to elbow to provide an unobstructed view of the passing of the sample.

A doping control officer then has to witness the urine leaving the athlete’s body and, unsurprisingly, can lead to some awkward moments.

Draper said: “It’s obviously a difficult moment, right? You kind of.. sometimes you push so hard that you’re farting and you’re right next to them. So it’s a tough job for them as well. 

“I always keep that in mind, like, some people get annoyed and stuff because it is a very intimate situation. But at the end of the day, I feel for that person as well.. it’s their job. 

“But it is sometimes difficult as well. If it’s really late and stuff and you want to get cracking on with whatever you’re doing next.. and you’ve gotta wait around and do that for a long time. It’s difficult because you’re losing sleep. 

“But I also think it’s a tough job for them as well. It’s not easy. Some awkward moments for sure though.”

Hopefully there will be plenty more awkward moments for Draper at the French Open, as it means a deep run in the tournament.

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Draper will face home favourite Gael Monfils in the second round after the 38-year-old former semi-finalist came from two sets down to beat Hugo Dellien 4-6 3-6 6-1 7-6 (4) 6-1 in Tuesday’s night match.

“I know I hadn’t won a match here, but I’m coming here wanting to go deep in the tournament,” he said.

“I have the confidence and I have the belief I can do that.

“Obviously winning matches feels good, but my goals are much higher than that. It feels great. I’m really focused on hopefully going as deep as I can here.”

Draper joins the rest of the Brit pack; Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie, in the second round – the first time the nation has had six first-round winners at Roland Garros since 1973.

It is a far cry from last year, when Draper was among the six first-round losers, as Britain suffered a depressing total wipe-out.

“I think it’s amazing,” he said. “Obviously I have been really focused on myself, my own preparations, but I have been watching the other players. It’s amazing for British tennis, to be honest.

“It’s great and it shows that we’re not afraid of playing well on the clay. I think all of them, great respect for, they all work really hard, and they’re all great players. I’m not surprised, either, to be honest.”