British tennis hopeful Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not be taking part in the forthcoming French Open after doctors identified a worsening knee‑tendon injury. The decision also casts doubt over his ability to compete at Wimbledon later this summer.
The setback adds another chapter to the former world No. 4’s difficult comeback journey. Draper has been battling back from a serious arm injury that kept him off the tour for almost eight months, and his recent form has been far from convincing.
Since making his return in February, he has only managed to play nine matches across five tournaments. The most recent of those was a first‑round encounter at the Barcelona Open, where he faced Tomas Etcheverry and was forced to retire due to pain in his knee. Medical examinations after the Barcelona match revealed that the tendon in his knee had become aggravated.
Initially, Draper had hoped to recover in time for the second Grand Slam of the year, but the latest advice from his medical team was clear: he should not attempt to play the physically demanding five‑set matches on clay at Roland Garros. In a brief Instagram story, Draper explained the situation to his followers: "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!" For a 24‑year‑old who was, less than a year ago, perched inside the world’s top four and touted as a possible challenger to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the news is a bitter disappointment. Missing Roland Garros means he will likely drop out of the top 100 by the time he is able to return, a steep fall from the elite ranking he once enjoyed. Draper’s withdrawal also mirrors a broader pattern of British players struggling with injuries this season. Emma Raducanu remains sidelined as she recovers from lingering post‑viral symptoms that followed an illness in early February.
Sonay Kartal has already ruled herself out of the French Open after sustaining a back injury at the Miami Open, while both Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley have been battling various fitness problems. At the moment, only Cameron Norrie – who is expected to break back into the world’s top‑20 next month – and Katie Boulter are representing Britain in the singles draw at the Madrid Open. The same limited representation could be seen at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome, where the British contingent is likely to be similarly small. Raducanu, however, is reportedly back in training and may decide to compete at the Foro Italico, with a final decision expected later this week.
If she does play, she would become the British No. 1 to appear at the tournament. As for Draper, there is still a glimmer of hope that he could make his comeback on grass.
The Stuttgart Open, which begins on June 8, offers a possible platform for his return; the tournament is notable because Draper captured his first ATP title there earlier in 2024. Following Stuttgart, the prestigious HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London are scheduled for the week after, providing another opportunity for the young Briton to test his fitness on a surface that suits his aggressive style.
The broader context of the story includes Sky Sports’ coverage plans. Fans can follow live tennis action via the Sky Sports app, NOW streaming service, or traditional broadcast, with the network promising more than 50 percent additional live sport this year at no extra charge for its customers. The network also encourages viewers to follow its WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis. In summary, Jack Draper’s decision to sit out the French Open is a pragmatic move aimed at protecting his long‑term health and ensuring he does not rush back into high‑intensity clay‑court matches before his knee is fully ready.
While the withdrawal is a disappointment for both the player and his supporters, it may ultimately allow him to rebuild his strength, regain confidence, and return to the tour on more stable footing, potentially making a strong showing on the grass courts later in the season.