Jack Draper is a fitness doubt for the Davis Cup in Manchester this week after his energy-sapping run to the US Open semi-finals.
The British No. 1 played with strapping on his thigh – and vomited on court three times during his defeat to Jannik Sinner.
The new world No. 20 reported he was “banged up” after his first Grand Slam semi-final but added: “I’ll speak to my team, but I want to be there competing on Wednesday.”
Great Britain are in Group D and will face 2022 champions Canada, Finland and Argentina as they bid to qualify for the November finals in Spain.
Cam Norrie is already out injured with Billy Harris and Wimbledon doubles champion Henry Patten called up for the first time.
Captain Leon Smith was full of praise for Draper but warned: “We will just have to see how he recovers and how he feels.
“We would love to have him here but at the same time, you have to respect what has just happened. He comes in here high on confidence but he is going to be feeling the effects of a tough summer as well. Obviously we would be absolutely delighted if he is here and ready to go.”
Draper, who flew home over the weekend, said before leaving New York: “Davis Cup is obviously a huge deal to me. I never really understood it until I actually played it for the first time. Obviously I know the schedule in tennis is full and all these types of things. I remember when we were going to Colombia, it was a bit like, ‘Should I go, should I not?’
“But obviously I went and I saw how important it is to everyone, how important it is to be there representing your country. So even though the tennis schedule is full and is relentless, and honestly, I’ve barely had a day off since the start of the year, I don’t think. But I want to be there, I want to be competing, and I want to be playing for my country, for sure.”
Draper could be rested for the opening tie against Finland and return after a week’s recovery time to play on Friday and Sunday.
“He is the strongest singles player on the team,” Smith added. “Top-20 player in great form. Someone who loves the competition – he has spoken about it. He was absolutely brilliant when he came into the team last year. Level-wise, he can go out and compete against absolutely anyone in world tennis now.”
Draper admitted he is “quite an anxious person” and struggled with nerves during the biggest match of his life. But Andy Murray’s former coach said his current top player would only benefit from his best Grand Slam performance – and learn how to handle the pressure.
“It is a massive stage to be playing on so it is a new feeling, the semis of a Slam,” Smith added. “But the more he puts himself in those situations, the more we see him manage things.
“We have seen how he manages almost a fortnight of playing at a Slam and he will have gained the experience of playing the semi-final of a Slam against the No.1 in the world. It is another great experience banked for him.”
