Sky Sports tennis commentator Laura Robson has cautioned Jack Draper that he must avoid arriving at the French Open "undercooked" after the British No. 2 pulled out of his upcoming ATP commitments in Madrid and Rome due to a knee problem.
Draper’s recent schedule has been disrupted by a right‑knee issue that forced him to retire from his first‑round match at the Barcelona Open against Tomas Martin Etcheverry last Monday. Following that retirement, Draper confirmed that he will miss both this week’s Madrid Open and next month’s Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.
Despite these setbacks, the 2024 US Open semi‑finalist remains focused on the second Grand Slam of the year, Roland‑Garros, which is slated for late May. Robson emphasized that while missing the top‑40 ranking spots is disappointing, it may ultimately be beneficial for Draper’s long‑term health. The young Brit has previously battled a chronic elbow injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2025 season, and a cautious approach to his knee could prevent a cascade of compensatory injuries.
Robson explained that Draper’s decision to sit out was a deliberate, measured choice. "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," she said on Sky Sports News. She added that the problem appears to be a tendon irritation rather than a structural knee injury, which, while still requiring rest, is generally more manageable with targeted physiotherapy and a gradual return to full training.
With the Madrid and Rome events off his calendar, Draper is now expected to consider smaller tournaments such as Hamburg or Geneva the week before the French Open. Those events would give him a chance to test his fitness on clay without the pressure of a major tournament and to regain match sharpness. "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.
"We’ll be watching to see whether he enters one of those warm‑up events because you don’t want to go into a best‑of‑five match situation undercooked, feeling ill‑prepared, and without that match intensity. He’s still hopeful that the clay season isn’t over for him." Robson also noted that Draper’s recent form has been encouraging.
After a long layoff, he made a strong statement at Indian Wells, where he beat Novak Djokovic in the round of 16 before falling to Daniil Medvedev in the quarter‑finals. That performance demonstrated that, when healthy, Draper can compete with the very best and that his game translates well to faster surfaces. However, the transition to clay demands a different tactical approach, and a fully healed knee is essential for the sliding and extended rallies that characterize the red‑clay courts of Roland‑Garros. The British tennis scene has seen a wave of withdrawals this season.
Fellow countrywoman Emma Raducanu also pulled out of the Madrid Open as she continues to recover from post‑viral fatigue and a lingering illness she contracted in Romania in early February. Raducanu has skipped the WTA events in Miami and Linz, focusing instead on rehabilitation and rebuilding her fitness base. She recently announced a return to training and expressed optimism about competing in Rome in early May, but she remains cautious about her health. "She’s still struggling with the effects of a viral illness that she picked up back in February," Robson reported, adding that Raducanu is prioritising a gradual comeback rather than rushing into a high‑stakes tournament like Madrid.
Raducanu’s coaching situation has also been in flux. After parting ways with Francis Roig following her Australian Open exit, she has re‑connected with Mark Petchey on an ad‑hoc basis while working with hitting partner Alexis Canter. Robson stressed that Raducanu’s current challenges are purely health‑related, not a reflection of her coaching team. "It doesn’t make a difference if you’re not able to go out there and practice, so ultimately, she’s looking to set that up so when she is physically back to 100 per cent she can feel good, feel confident, and know that she’s working on the right things on and off the court," she said.
Both Draper and Raducanu illustrate the broader narrative of British tennis this year: talented players battling injuries and illness, making strategic decisions about scheduling, and aiming to peak for the sport’s biggest stages. For Draper, the priority will be to complete a structured rehabilitation program for his knee, incorporate low‑impact conditioning work, and gradually re‑introduce clay‑specific drills.
If he can secure a few matches in Hamburg or Geneva, he will have the chance to test his movement, adjust his footwork, and regain confidence before the grueling two‑week marathon at Roland‑Garros. In summary, Laura Robson’s message to Jack Draper is clear: patience and preparation are essential. Rushing back into a Grand Slam with a compromised knee could jeopardise his season and long‑term career. By taking the necessary time to heal, targeting appropriate warm‑up events, and focusing on a balanced training regimen, Draper can arrive in Paris fit, match‑ready, and fully capable of competing for a deep run at the French Open.