Former British number one Jack Draper has withdrawn on the eve of another tournament because of the long-term arm injury that continues to cause him discomfort. The left-handed 24-year-old had been due to make his first appearance since ruling himself out of Wimbledon last month, but he pulled out of the ATP Tour event in Washington after feeling more soreness in the problem arm.
Draper has been battling bone bruising in his serving arm for more than a year. He had said at the weekend, external that he was
“feeling physically good”before the Mubadala DC Open, and he also looked strong in practice sessions under the guidance of new coach Andy Murray. However, he withdrew from the ATP 500 event on Monday after the arm became more sore.
It is another frustrating setback for Draper and closely resembles the situation at Wimbledon, where he spoke positively about his fitness before withdrawing just 24 hours before his first-round match. After the withdrawal was announced, he posted on Instagram:
“These last months have felt like nothing but adversity and setbacks,”
“Most days I've spent in doubt, yet hopeful that I can keep taking positive steps forward and finding ways to progress.
“Being patient with the process has been my biggest challenge, but I know I'm getting closer to where I want to be.”
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Draper remains hopeful of playing in Montreal and Cincinnati before the US Open, which starts on 30 August. He reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2024, but there is no doubt this is another concerning development and part of a worrying pattern involving an injury he describes as
“complicated”.
The former world number four has played only 14 matches in the past 12 months, and just 13 matches this season, largely because of the bruised humerus he has tried to manage by taking long breaks from competition. As a result, he has dropped out of the world's top 100 and is now ranked 147th in the world.
At Wimbledon, Draper said:
“It's hard to tell when you can push [and] when not to push,”
“At the end of the day I'm playing a very aggressive sport, that you need to play through some stuff. Sometimes it's too much. Sometimes it's not.
“I wouldn't be competing anywhere if there was a chance that I'm going to get a lot worse, for instance.”
Draper's first comeback earlier this season was interrupted by tendinitis in his knee, and the three-time ATP Tour winner had not played for more than two months before returning at Eastbourne in June. Reaching the semi-finals there came at a cost, though, as his arm injury flared up again at Wimbledon and left Draper
“devastated”at having to pull out of his home Grand Slam.
Draper has not played a major since the US Open in August. If he is fit enough to play at Flushing Meadows this year, he will need to come through qualifying or be awarded a wildcard to enter the main draw.
In Washington, Draper will be replaced in the draw by lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald.
How much tennis has Draper played this season?
Draper has played only 13 matches this season and 14 matches in the past 12 months, reflecting the extent of the injury problems that have limited his appearances. The arm issue has been the main obstacle, although his comeback earlier in the year was also affected by knee tendinitis.
What is Draper hoping to play next?
Draper is hopeful of playing in Montreal and Cincinnati before the US Open begins on 30 August. However, his fitness remains uncertain because the arm injury has repeatedly flared up after periods of recovery and rest.
What does this mean for the US Open?
If Draper is fit enough to play at the US Open, he will need to qualify or receive a wildcard to be included in the main draw. He reached the semi-finals at the tournament in 2024, but his current ranking of 147th means he is outside the direct acceptance places.
Key Facts
- Jack Draper withdrew from the ATP Tour event in Washington on Monday after soreness returned in his serving arm.
- The 24-year-old has been troubled by bone bruising in his arm for more than a year.
- He has played only 13 matches this season and 14 in the past 12 months.
- Draper is now ranked 147th in the world after dropping out of the world's top 100.
- He remains hopeful of playing in Montreal and Cincinnati before the US Open starts on 30 August.
