British tennis hopeful Jack Draper has confirmed that he will miss the forthcoming French Open after suffering a setback with a knee tendon problem. The 24‑year‑old’s withdrawal also casts doubt over his ability to compete at Wimbledon, which is only a few weeks away. This development represents another hurdle for the former world No.
4, who has been fighting to regain his form ever since a serious arm injury forced him out of competition for roughly eight months. Since making his return in February, Draper has only managed to play nine matches across five tournaments.
His most recent appearance ended prematurely at the Barcelona Open, where he retired during his opening round against Tomas Etcheverry. Medical examinations after that match revealed that the knee tendon injury had worsened. Initially, Draper had hoped to be back in time for the second Grand Slam of the season, but the advice from his medical team was clear: he should not risk a return to the grueling five‑set battles on clay at Roland Garros. In an Instagram story, Draper posted: "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 decision is a disappointment for a nation that has been hoping for a resurgence at the top of the sport. Less than a year ago, Draper was ranked inside the world’s top four and was being talked about as a possible challenger to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the biggest titles.
His current situation mirrors that of Alcaraz, who also will not be present at Roland Garros this year, and it is likely that Draper will drop well outside the top 100 by the time he is fit to return. Draper’s absence adds to an already bleak season for British tennis. Emma Raducanu remains out of competition as she continues to recover from lingering post‑viral symptoms that followed an illness in early February. Sonay Kartal has already withdrawn from the French Open after sustaining a back injury at the Miami Open, while fellow compatriots Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley have also been plagued by fitness concerns.
At the moment, only Cameron Norrie—who is projected to re‑enter the world’s top 20 next month—and Katie Boulter are representing Britain in the singles draw at the Madrid Open, and a similar picture may emerge at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome. Raducanu has resumed training and could potentially make an appearance at the Foro Italico, with a final decision expected later this week. Looking ahead, Draper may aim to stage a comeback on grass, possibly at the Stuttgart Open where he captured his first ATP title of 2024. That tournament kicks off on June 8, followed by the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London the following week, offering a natural stepping stone toward Wimbledon.
The broader context of the season includes Sky Sports’ extensive coverage of tennis, with live streams available through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app. Fans can follow match scores, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis, and the network is promoting a more accessible viewing experience for Chrome users.
While Draper’s withdrawal is a setback, the tennis calendar remains packed with opportunities for other players to shine, and the British contingent will be watching closely for signs of recovery and future breakthroughs.