Sky Sports tennis commentator Laura Robson has cautioned Jack Draper that he should not arrive at the French Open in a state of under‑preparation, after the British rising star pulled out of the upcoming ATP tournaments in Madrid and Rome due to a lingering knee problem. Draper, who currently sits as Britain’s No.2 male player, was forced to retire from his first‑round match at the Barcelona Open on Monday after experiencing pain in his right knee against Chilean challenger Tomás Martín Etcheverry. Following that setback, Draper confirmed that he will miss both the Madrid Open this week and the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in May.
Despite these absences, the 2024 US Open semi‑finalist remains focused on the second Grand Slam of the year – Roland‑Garros – which begins later in May. Robson emphasized that skipping the Spanish events could actually be beneficial, noting that the British player has been battling a chronic elbow issue that sidelined him for the bulk of the 2025 season. By allowing his body a chance to recover fully, Draper can avoid compounding injuries and ensure he is physically ready for the demanding clay season. Draper’s recent form has been encouraging.
After a lengthy lay‑off, he returned to the tour at Indian Wells, where he secured a remarkable victory over world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the round of 16 before falling to Daniil Medvedev in the quarter‑finals. Robson praised Draper’s disciplined approach to rehabilitation, explaining that the knee problem is typical for athletes who modify their movement patterns while compensating for a previous ailment.
"He really took the time out to make sure it was 100 per cent, and unfortunately, this is now a knee issue that so often happens when you're coming back from one thing, you compensate, you feel like you haven't been able to get the work in where it needs to happen in the gym and on the practice court," Robson told Sky Sports News. She added that the current complaint appears to be a tendon irritation rather than a major structural injury, suggesting a relatively swift recovery if managed correctly. Looking ahead, Draper is expected to target a warm‑up event in either Hamburg or Geneva the week before the French Open. Both tournaments are scheduled on clay and would provide him with the match intensity he needs without the pressure of a Grand Slam debut on the surface.
"He's looking to take a couple of weeks off now after having to retire from his match in Barcelona last week, but he is hopeful of being able to play Roland‑Garros, and if not, the week before," Robson said. "That's what we're really going to be looking out for – whether he plays in one of those events to try and get some match practice because you don't want to go into a best‑of‑five match situation undercooked, feeling ill‑prepared, and without that match intensity. So he's still hopeful that the clay season isn't over for him." Robson also noted that fellow Briton Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Madrid Open as she continues her rehabilitation from a post‑viral illness that first manifested in Romania in early February.
Raducanu has also skipped the WTA events in Miami and Linz, opting to focus on full recovery rather than risk a premature return that could jeopardise her long‑term health. The 23‑year‑old last appeared at Indian Wells on March 8, where she suffered a heavy 6‑1, 6‑1 defeat to Amanda Anisimova in the third round.
Speaking about Raducanu’s situation, Robson explained that the primary obstacle is health, not coaching. "In this case it's purely a health‑related issue that's holding her back from the match court.
It's nothing to do with whether you have someone in your camp or not. It doesn't make a difference if you're not able to go out there and practice," she said. Raducanu has recently reunited with former coach Mark Petchey on an ad‑hoc basis while continuing to work with hitting partner Alexis Canter. She has also returned to the LTA National Tennis Centre for training, a move that Robson believes will provide a stable environment for her to rebuild fitness and confidence.
Both Draper and Raducanu illustrate the broader challenge British tennis faces when promising talents return from injury or illness. The modern tour demands continuous competition, yet the physical toll of high‑intensity matches, especially on demanding surfaces like clay, can exacerbate lingering problems.
Experts advise a measured approach: prioritize medical clearance, incorporate targeted strength and conditioning work, and select warm‑up events that align with the player's recovery timeline. For Draper, the next few weeks will be crucial. If he can secure a few solid matches in Hamburg or Geneva, he will arrive at Roland‑Garros with the match rhythm needed to compete in best‑of‑five sets. Even a modest showing could boost his confidence and provide valuable data for his coaching team to fine‑tune tactics on the slower surface.
Conversely, a rushed return could risk aggravating the knee tendon, potentially sidelining him for the remainder of the clay season and jeopardising his preparation for the grass swing later in the year. Robson’s message to fans is clear: patience and strategic planning are essential.
While the allure of immediate competition is strong, especially with a Grand Slam on the horizon, safeguarding long‑term health will ultimately yield better results. As the tennis calendar progresses, both Draper and Raducanu will be closely monitored, and their decisions will serve as case studies for how elite athletes navigate the delicate balance between ambition and recovery. Viewers can follow live coverage of the ATP and WTA tours on Sky Sports or stream via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, which offers additional live sport content at no extra charge for subscribers.