“I broke down”: Jack Draper admits pushing too hard in chase of Alcaraz and Sinner level

Monday, 29 June 2026 at 02:30

Jack Draper believes men's tennis is approaching a critical point regarding player injuries, with the Briton calling on the ATP Tour to examine the physical demands placed on competitors as he prepares for his Wimbledon return following months of rehabilitation.

The former world No. 38 arrives at the All England Club ranked No. 131 after missing significant portions of the season through injury. Since last year's Wimbledon, Draper has competed in only five tournaments, retiring from two of them and enduring lengthy spells away from competition.

There were encouraging signs last week at Eastbourne, where Draper reached the semi-finals in his first tournament in more than two months. He defeated Marcos Giron, Jack Pinnington Jones and Gabriel Diallo in straight sets before falling to eventual finalist Ugo Humbert, climbing 29 places in the rankings.

Now preparing to face sixth seed Taylor Fritz in one of the standout first-round matches at Wimbledon, Draper said his own experiences have made him increasingly concerned about the growing number of injuries affecting many of the ATP Tour's leading players.

“The state of men's tennis is worrying”

Speaking ahead of Wimbledon, Draper explained that some injuries are simply unavoidable but argued the overall trend across the men's game deserves far greater attention, particularly as younger players continue suffering wrist, arm and shoulder problems.

The Briton admitted his own body "broke down" while trying to reach the level consistently produced by players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. "My arm injury, for instance, was something I couldn't foresee. It was bad luck,” the former world No. 4 said at press conference. “With muscles it's more of a load thing, and bones as well."

"We're in a sport where we're competing and practising all the time, trying to improve every week. Last year I was trying to push my game more and more in Masters 1000s to reach players like Alcaraz and Sinner, who play at an incredible level. I broke down."

Draper pointed to the number of high-profile injuries currently affecting young stars: "It's worrying, the state of men's tennis right now in terms of injuries, especially among young players—Musetti, Fils, Alcaraz with wrist issues. It's almost always shoulder, arm, wrist. Whether that's the balls or something in the game, I don't think there are more matches than before, but players are getting better, hitting harder and moving better.”

“In my opinion, the tour needs to look closely at what's happening, especially with Masters 1000s and the 12-day events. I think tournaments will suffer if nothing changes. It's an important topic."

Murray partnership provides confidence boost

Although Draper remains some distance from his physical peak, he believes the progress made during his comeback has finally put him in a position to compete consistently again after months of adapting both his equipment and playing style to manage recurring problems.

Earlier this season, he was forced to limit practice, alter parts of his game and even switch to gut strings in an effort to reduce stress on his arm. Those compromises, he said, are now largely behind him after gradually rebuilding his physical workload.

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"My power and level when I can compete is in a really good place,” the 25-year-old added. “I'm moving well. I'd still say I'm far from perfect, but I'm getting there. It's been an incredibly long process and it's taken a lot out of me mentally, coming back again and again. At the same time, I feel I'm in a position now where I can compete at a really high level with the best players. “

“Earlier this year I was compromising a lot of things—using gut strings, changing parts of my game, not practising much. Now I'm in a position where I've got that load through my body and I can go out and compete properly."

Another important factor in Draper's return has been the arrival of three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray to his coaching team during the grass-court season. Murray worked alongside Draper throughout Eastbourne and will remain with him during Wimbledon.

Draper described Murray as one of his greatest sporting inspirations and believes the partnership is only beginning, saying the former world No. 1 has already played an important role in rebuilding his confidence during a difficult period.

"Having him around helps a lot. He's one of my biggest inspirations. When you're dealing with pressure at a home tournament, there's not much advice he can give me. Just having him here, being in my presence over the last few weeks, has helped my confidence."

"It hasn't been an easy time, and him being around has helped guide me through this period and get back on court. It's very special. He's dealt with so much in his career and I have huge admiration for him. I think it's just the start of a great partnership."

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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