British tennis hopeful Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not be participating in the upcoming French Open after medical staff identified a worsening knee tendon problem. The decision also casts doubt on his ability to compete at Wimbledon, which follows shortly after Roland Garros. This development represents yet another setback for the former world No.
4, who has been fighting to rebuild his career after enduring a severe arm injury that kept him off the tour for roughly eight months. Since his return to competition in February, Draper has only managed to play nine matches across five different tournaments, a stark contrast to his pre‑injury schedule. His most recent appearance was at the Barcelona Open, where he was forced to retire in the first round against Tomas Etcheverry.
Medical examinations after that match revealed that the knee tendon injury had become aggravated, prompting doctors to advise a period of rest rather than a rushed comeback for the second Grand Slam of the year. In a brief Instagram story, Draper explained his situation: "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, now 24, was once ranked inside the top four worldwide and was being talked about as a potential challenger to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for major titles. Missing the French Open now puts him in the same boat as Alcaraz, who also withdrew, and it virtually guarantees that Draper will fall well outside the top 100 when he finally returns to competition. His withdrawal adds to a broader narrative of disappointment for British tennis this season. Emma Raducanu remains sidelined as she continues to recover from lingering post‑viral symptoms that began after an illness in early February.
Meanwhile, Sonay Kartal has already announced she will miss Roland Garros after suffering a back injury at the Miami Open, and fellow British players Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley are also grappling with fitness concerns. Only Cameron Norrie, who is expected to climb back into the world top‑20 next month, and Katie Boulter were representing Great Britain in the singles draw at the Madrid Open. The same limited representation is likely to be seen at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome. Raducanu, however, is back in training and may appear at the Foro Italico, with a decision on her participation expected later in the week.
As for Draper, there is a possibility he could make his return on grass at the Stuttgart Open, the tournament where he captured his first ATP title of 2024. That event starts on June 8, and the subsequent HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in London will follow the next week, offering another potential stage for his comeback. The broader context of these injuries highlights the physical demands of the modern tour, where players must balance recovery with the relentless calendar that includes back‑to‑back Grand Slams and a string of high‑profile events.
For Draper, the focus now is on a measured rehabilitation program that will allow his knee to heal fully while he rebuilds the strength and confidence lost during his time away from the court. Fans can stay updated on Draper's progress and other tennis news through Sky Sports' various platforms, including their WhatsApp service, the Sky Sports app, and streaming options like NOW. The network continues to provide live coverage of ATP and WTA matches, offering subscribers access to more than half again the amount of live sport compared with previous seasons, all at no extra cost.
In summary, Jack Draper's withdrawal from the French Open underscores the fragile nature of a professional tennis career, especially when recovering from multiple injuries. While the immediate outlook may seem bleak, the strategic decision to prioritize long‑term health over short‑term competition could ultimately enable him to return stronger, aiming once again for the top echelons of the sport.