"It's a shame he's not here": Great Britain's captain makes his feeling known about Jack Draper's absence from upcoming Davis Cup clash against Poland

Team Great Britain’s captain in the Davis Cup Leon Smith believes that world number seven Jack Draper has taken a right decision to end his season early. The 23-year-old has struggled with an arm injury this year which has forced him to play very little tennis since Wimbledon.

Draper did not feature in any competition after Wimbledon in order to recover from the injury and returned only to compete at the US Open. His decision backfired as he was forced to withdraw just before the start of the second-round contest against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.

“Hi guys, I’m sorry to say I’ll be withdrawing from the US open,” wrote Draper in a post on social media platform X. “I tried my very best to be here and give myself the every chance to play but the discomfort in my arm has become to much and I have to do what is right and look after myself. Thank you for all the support.”

Trouble for Draper did not end there as just 11 days later, he was forced to announce that he would not be able to take part in any more tennis events this year to recover from the same injury. “Hi guys, an update from me,” wrote Draper. “Unfortunately the injury to my arm is something I have to rest and means I’ll be sitting out the rest of 2025. It is very difficult for me to accept as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing some great stuff. However, I’ve been through this before.. and I always come back stronger as I’m so motivated to fulfil my potential as a player,” Draper wrote. “Huge thanks to everyone who backs me to do well and supports me on my journey. Can’t wait to get back out there and give it my all. See you soon!”

The decision, in the short run, has put a huge dent in team Great Britain, who will be without their top-ranked player in the upcoming tie against Poland. The matches will be played on September 12 and 13 at the Polsat Puls Arena, Gdynia, Poland.

Team Great Britain’s captain, Smith, has spoken to BBC Sport, where he backed Draper’s decision to call this season early. Smith was of the opinion that it is a ‘shame’ not to have their best player available for the upcoming contest, but remains optimistic that Draper will be able to bounce back quickly to produce the goods on the tennis court.

"He was keen to come here and that was the plan, so it's a shame that he's not here," said Smith. “But more importantly for him, I feel for him. The momentum that he had built in that first part of the year was exceptional and he's had a few challenges before, but he will come after this. I think what they have done is the right call, to take this time out now and get this sorted, and work on other aspects. And I'm sure he will be back for the start of the season."

Despite ending the season early, Draper will feel good about what he managed to achieve on the court. Overall, Draper played 39 matches in 2025, where he won 30 and lost just nine. His best performance this year came while playing at the Indian Wells, where he ended up lifting the title after beating Denmark’s Holger Rune in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2. It was Draper’s first-ever ATP 1000 title. Draper came close to lifting his second ATP 1000 title but finished as the runner-up at the Madrid Open after losing to Norway’s Casper Ruud, who came out on top with a score of 7-6, 3-6, 6-4.