"I had to have a break for a couple of days": Jack Draper looks ahead after suffering injury scare

Jack Draper is relishing the opportunities ahead as he returns to home soil at Queen's Club Championships in preparation for Wimbledon.

The British number one has expressed how pleased he is to be back competing at Queen’s Club, just ahead of the Iconic grass-court major. Draper has been in strong form throughout the European clay season, reaching the final of the Madrid Open and achieving a career-best run to the fourth round of the French Open.

Jack Draper is looking ahead to the Queen’s Club Championships, where he has been named the second seed behind Carlos Alcaraz. Competing in his home country, there is a certain level of expectation on Draper as he looks to deliver a strong performance ahead of the Grand Slam at SW19.

However, despite the anticipation, Draper was almost forced to withdraw from the event following a minor injury scare. After taking a heavy fall in training, the British number one had to change his preparations for two days as he monitored the issue.

“Last week in training I had a little niggle. I had to have a break for a couple of days to see it through,” Draper explained. “I was training on the courts here and took a really heavy fall. I was limping around for a day or so".

Despite the scare, Draper was able to comfortably cruise through his opening-round match at Queen’s, defeating Jenson Brooksby in straight sets. After the win, he said, “I feel good. I feel good now".

Draper also provided a further update on his fitness during a post-match conversation with a reporter:

“It wasn’t anything that was going to keep me from playing. I got out there today and I felt really good. I’m happy with that—really happy—because, yeah, you never know how serious something is going to be".

He went on to add:

“You know, yesterday I trained and I felt good. Then today I was just fine. Happy with that, and that’s not any concern to me from now on".

Draper will be relishing the opportunity to compete on home soil during the grass-court swing, with his campaign now underway at the Queen’s Club Championships. Playing a Grand Slam in front of a home crowd is sure to boost his confidence, especially with the wave of support he’ll receive at SW19 when play begins on June 30th.

Eager to add to his three ATP titles, Draper will no doubt give everything he has in pursuit of his first title on British soil.

Speaking at Queen's ahead of Wimbledon Draper would say: "When I’m obviously at home, I get to be in my environment. I get all my home comforts. It’s very easy where I live to get here, get to Wimbledon", Draper added further:

"On the other hand, it’s a bit different because I’m so used to staying in hotels and sort of going out for meals with the team and stuff. On one hand, it’s amazing; one hand it’s a bit alien. Very fortunate to obviously stay home".

“All the other players are staying in hotels week in, week out. To have the ability to be in one place for a month is something I don’t take for granted. I think I feel more relaxed and more comfortable because of it".

As play continues at Queen’s, the passion, drive, and commitment required to win a Grand Slam title on home soil will only fuel Draper’s determination in his pursuit of a maiden Major title at Wimbledon. One thing is certain — the expectations surrounding Draper have never been higher. However, he appears poised to thrive under that pressure, potentially leaning on the experience and guidance of British tennis icon Andy Murray along the way.