The Drake curse refers to superstition that athletes or teams backed by Drake, a Canadian rapper, are meant to fail. Defeat often follows soon after whether he places a bet, appears in their jersey, or shows up ringside.
Jannik Sinner, an Italian tennis star became the latest victim of the curse. Drake staked big money on Sinner to beat Carlos Alcaraz ahead the final of the US Open men.
Instead, winning in four sets (6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4), Alcaraz dominated. While Sinner also ends the year with two, making it an even split between the two rivals, that gave the Spaniard his second Grand Slam of 2025.
However, the bigger point? Drake once again backed the wrong side.
Some of the notable athletes and team affected by the Drake Curse are Serena Williams in US Open 2015. Serena was chasing a historic calendar-year Grand Slam when Drake supported her courtside. Surprisingly, she lost in the semifinals.
In College Football Playoff 2019, Drake walked Conor McGregor to the octagon for this blockbuster fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov. McGregor lost by submission in round four.
Drake appeared in Alabama gear before the title game of Alabama Crimson Tide in College Football Playoff 2019 too. Clemson humiliated them in a 44-16 blowout.
Kentucky Wildcats hasn’t won a national title in NCAA Basketball during Drake’s era of fandom. This is in spite of his long association with the program.
The Blue Jays prospect went into an immediate slump at the plate with MLB Debut of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. after meeting Drake.
The betting slips of Drake on UFC fighters Israel Adesanya, Aljamain Sterling, and Sean Strickland, all ended in costly upsets.
In 2024 Boxing Loss, Drake bet on Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk. Fury lost on points.
Drake backed Duke Blue Devils in 2022 NCAA Final Four. Nonetheless, North Carolina upset them.
Drake wagered on Odell Beckham Jr.’s receiving yards. Nevertheless, the wideout left injured and missed the target.
Numerous teams have failed under the spotlight of Drake in NBA & NHL from the Dallas Mavericks and Edmonton Oilers to his hometown Toronto Raptors (before 2019).
