‘Not ideal’ – Jack Draper reacts to boos from angry fan exodus during shock Miami Open defeat

British star Jack Draper suffered a surprise Miami Open defeat after the match was halted due to a bizarre mass fan exodus.

Sixth seed Draper was midway through the second set of his 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-3) loss to Jakub Mensik in the Grandstand when chaos ensued.

Sky Sports

Draper’s defeat at the Miami Open was stopped due to fan unrest[/caption]

With Brazil’s teenage sensation Joao Fonseca due to face Ugo Humbert in the Grandstand following Draper’s clash, scores of the former’s compatriots had packed out the stadium so they would have a seat for the next contest.

However, those plans were thrown into disarray when it was announced there was a late venue change as Fonseca’s clash with the No. 19 seed was being moved to the Stadium Court.

It prompted a shower of boos from the Brazilian supporters as they collectively made their way through the exits.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage, a reporter said: “You absolutely can’t believe it.

“The boos are very much justified because it’s just been announced that Fonseca and Humbert are moving over to stadium court.

“So all these Brazilian fans that have been sat here for hours and hours are now just finding out and trying to head over.

“But the queues are going to be outrageous trying to get in there at the moment.”

The Telegraph’s Simon Briggs meanwhile declared the scenario as ‘an absolute shambles’ from tournament organisers.

Unfortunately for Draper, he was unable to get past Mensik as the Czech prevailed 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3).

“I didn’t really know what was going on at first,” Draper told Sky Sports.

Sky Sports

Frustrated fans flooded the exits after learning Fonseca wouldn’t follow Draper’s game[/caption]

The match between Jack Draper and Jakub Mensik was paused after it was announced that the court for Joao Fonseca and Ugo Humbert's match had changed. pic.twitter.com/vCfv2Lxtpy

— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) March 22, 2025

“Obviously it was getting quite loud – I couldn’t hear the ball being hit. Those Brazilian fans had been in the stadium waiting for him to play all day and then obviously they changed the court. It’s not ideal, I can understand their frustration.

“We had to stop for a little bit. I just hope they were able to get onto the court. It’s so good, as especially at this tournament where I don’t feel like the crowd attendance is amazing, that if they weren’t able to get onto that centre court that would be really tough on them.

“I can understand their frustration, to be fair. I was just confused as to what was going on, but we waited for a few minutes and then it was fine.”

It was a valiant effort from Draper as he saved eight of Mensik’s nine break-point opportunities.

Mensik, 19, awaits either Australian star Alexei Popyrin or Roman Safiullin in the round of 32.

Draper’s defeat came days after he won his maiden ATP Masters title at Indian Wells.

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But as a result of his defeat to Mensik, he has become the first Indian Wells champion to lose his opening match at the Miami Open since Dominic Thiem in 2019.

The Brit beat Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in the Indian Wells final to cap off a superb tournament.

Draper had already beaten Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz and America’s Taylor Fritz on his way to Indian Wells glory.

The 23-year-old’s triumph in California also rocketed him up to a career-high ranking of seventh.

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Speaking after his win over Rune, he explained: “I said at the end of last year I wanted to be competing with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and all the players who are competing for big titles.

“It’s one thing saying it but it’s another thing doing it.

“To back up six matches here at the highest level against tough opponents is something I’ve been working hard to be able to achieve.”