Britain’s
Jack Draper’s return date has now been confirmed.
The 23-year-old has recently ended his season early because of an arm injury. Draper’s
last appearance was at the
US Open, where he was forced to withdraw just before
the start of the second round 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.”
Things had gone from bad to worse for Draper 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!”
As per
Sky Sports, Draper’s return date has now been
confirmed. It was reported that Britain’s number one player will feature in the
UTS London Grand Final at the Copper Box Arena in December later this year.
Draper was also quoted in the report, where he expressed his excitement about featuring in the competition. "I have such great memories of winning UTS in front of
my home crowd a couple of years ago. I'm looking forward to getting back out
there and competing.”
Promising signs
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, winning 30 and losing 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. At the Grand Slams, however, Draper did not have a good
outing.
After playing in the semifinal of the US Open in 2024, where he lost to then world number one Jannik Sinner, Draper would have been
hoping to have an improved performance this year. However, that did not happen
as Draper failed to qualify for any big events. AT the Australian Open, Draper
was knocked out after being forced to retire in the fourth round contest against
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. The final score of the match was 7-5, 6-1, 1-0.
At the French Open, Draper was once again knocked out
after losing in the fourth round to Alexander Bublik with a score of 5-7, 6-3,
6-2, 6-4. At Wimbledon, Draper had a really disappointing run as he suffered a shocking
defeat in the second round to one-time Grand Slam winner Croatia’s Marin Cilic
with a score of 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.