Sky Sports Tennis commentator Laura Robson has cautioned Jack Draper that he should not approach the French Open feeling "undercooked" after the British player withdrew from the upcoming ATP tournaments in Madrid and Rome due to a knee problem. Draper, who is currently ranked as Britain’s No.2, was forced to retire from his first-round match at the Barcelona Open on Monday when he experienced a setback in his right knee against Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Following that incident, Draper confirmed that he will miss both this week’s Madrid Open and next month’s Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. Despite these absences, the 2024 US Open semi‑finalist remains focused on the second Grand Slam of the season, Roland‑Garros, scheduled for late May.
Robson noted that while missing the Madrid event will likely see Draper slip out of the top‑40 rankings, the decision could actually be beneficial for his long‑term health. The young Brit has previously battled a chronic elbow injury that sidelined him for most of the 2025 season, and a cautious approach to his knee may prevent a repeat of that prolonged lay‑off.
Draper’s recent form has shown promising signs. After defending his title in Indian Wells last month – only his second ATP tournament since returning from injury – he produced a stunning upset over Novak Djokovic in the round of 16 before eventually falling to Daniil Medvedev in the quarter‑finals. Robson explained that Draper took the necessary time to ensure his body was fully ready, but a knee issue has emerged as a common side‑effect when athletes compensate for previous ailments. "It’s a tendon‑related problem that often appears when you’re still rebuilding strength in the gym and on court," she told Sky Sports News.
"The good news is it isn’t a serious structural injury, but it does require careful management." Looking ahead, Draper is expected to target warm‑up events in Hamburg or Geneva the week before the French Open, aiming to regain match sharpness on clay without over‑loading his knee. Robson emphasized the importance of not entering a best‑of‑five match at Roland‑Garros without sufficient preparation. "He wants a couple of weeks off after the Barcelona retirement, but he hopes to be ready for Paris, or at least to get some practice the week prior. We don’t want him to walk onto the court undercooked, lacking the intensity that a Grand Slam demands." The British tennis scene has seen a similar pattern with Emma Raducanu, who also withdrew from the Madrid Open as she continues to work on full fitness.
Raducanu has pulled out of the WTA events in Miami and Linz, prioritising recovery from lingering post‑viral symptoms that began after an illness contracted in Romania in early February. The 23‑year‑old British No.1 has not competed since her third‑round loss to Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells on March 8, where she fell 6‑1, 6‑1.
Raducanu herself admitted the uncertainty surrounding her return. "I’m still dealing with the after‑effects of the virus I caught in February," she said.
"I tried to play on the American hard courts but couldn’t maintain consistency, so I decided to take more time off. It’s hard to predict when I’ll be back, but I hope it’s soon because I want to be a draw for tournaments, especially in the early rounds as I work back to top form." In terms of coaching, Raducanu split with Francis Roig after her Australian Open exit and has been working on an ad‑hoc basis with Mark Petchey, while also using hitting partner Alexis Canter.
Robson clarified that Raducanu’s current situation is purely health‑related and not tied to her coaching team. "Whether you have a coach or not doesn’t matter if you can’t get on court to practice," she said.
"She is focusing on getting back to 100 per cent physically, so when she does return she will feel confident and ready to compete." Both British players illustrate the delicate balance between ambition and injury management on the ATP and WTA tours. While Draper aims to fine‑tune his clay‑court game ahead of Roland‑Garros, Raducanu is plotting a gradual comeback that may see her reappear in Rome in early May. Their respective teams stress the need for patience, proper rehabilitation, and strategic tournament selection to avoid rushing back into high‑intensity competition. Fans can follow the ongoing developments on Sky Sports, where live coverage of ATP and WTA events is available, as well as through the Sky Sports app and NOW streaming service, which together provide over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost.
The broadcasters encourage viewers to stay tuned for updates on Draper’s preparation for the French Open and Raducanu’s path back to full fitness, as both athletes work to return stronger and healthier for the remainder of the season.