Injury Forces Draper to Withdraw from Barcelona Open First Round

Jack Draper's return to the clay courts was cut short as he was forced to retire from his first-round match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open due to an injury. Despite a strong start, winning the first set 6-3, Draper struggled with his movement and was hindered by a knee issue from the start of the second set. After losing the second set 6-3, Draper trailed 4-1 in the third before withdrawing from the match. His opponent, Etcheverry, praised Draper as a great competitor and fighter, expressing hopes for his speedy recovery. Draper's participation in the Barcelona Open marked only his fourth tournament since his return to the ATP Tour following a left-arm injury that kept him sidelined since last August's US Open. He is scheduled to play next at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid from April 22. Etcheverry will now face either Nuno Borges or Adrian Mannarino in the second round.