British tennis hopeful Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not be taking part in the upcoming French Open after doctors identified a lingering knee‑tendon injury. The decision also casts serious doubt over his ability to compete at Wimbledon, which is scheduled just a few weeks later. This setback adds another layer of difficulty to Draper’s quest to rebuild his career after a protracted arm injury that kept him off the tour for nearly eight months.
Since making his return in February, the 24‑year‑old has only been able to play nine matches across five tournaments. His most recent appearance ended prematurely at the Barcelona Open, where he retired in the opening round against Tomas Etcheverry. Medical examinations following that retirement revealed that the knee tendon had become aggravated, a condition that was already a concern after his earlier comeback. Initially, Draper had hoped to be fit in time for the second Grand Slam of the season, but the severity of the tendon issue forced him to reconsider.
He communicated the news to his followers via an Instagram story, writing: "My knee is on the mend and I've started back hitting balls but unfortunately I have been advised not to play Roland Garros. As gutting as it is to miss another Slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five‑set tennis on clay.
Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I've been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!" The British player’s withdrawal is a disappointment for a fan base that still sees him as a potential challenger to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Less than a year ago, Draper was ranked inside the world’s top four and was being touted as a future major‑tournament winner. Now, with the French Open out of reach, he is likely to slip well outside the top‑100 when he finally returns to competition.
Draper’s situation mirrors that of his compatriot Alcaraz, who also will miss Roland Garros, albeit for different reasons. The broader picture for British tennis this season has been bleak. Emma Raducanu remains sidelined as she recovers from lingering post‑viral symptoms that followed an illness in early February. Young talent Sonay Kartal has already announced she will sit out the French Open after suffering a back injury at the Miami Open.
Other British players, including Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley, have been battling various fitness concerns. At the present Madrid Open, only Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter represented Great Britain in the singles draws. Norrie, who is poised to re‑enter the world’s top‑20 in the coming weeks, and Boulter may well be the sole British faces at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome.
Raducanu, meanwhile, has returned to training and could make an appearance at the Foro Italico, with a final decision expected later this week. As for Draper, there is a glimmer of hope that he might make a comeback on grass. The Stuttgart tournament, where he captured his first ATP title of 2024, could serve as a suitable re‑entry point.
That event begins on June 8, followed by the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London the following week. Beyond the immediate injury news, the broader context of the tennis calendar is worth noting. Fans can stream matches without a contract through NOW, while Sky Sports continues to provide extensive coverage of ATP and WTA events, including live scores, highlights, and video analysis. The Sky Sports app offers an enhanced viewing experience, and users are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback.
In summary, Jack Draper’s withdrawal from Roland Garros underscores the fragile nature of a professional tennis career, especially when returning from a serious injury. While the knee tendon issue forces him to miss the clay‑court Grand Slam, the strategic decision to prioritize long‑term health may ultimately enable him to return stronger on grass courts later in the season.
The British tennis community will be watching closely, hoping that both Draper and his fellow countrymen can overcome these setbacks and re‑establish themselves among the sport’s elite.