British tennis hopeful Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not be competing at the upcoming French Open after doctors diagnosed a worsening knee‑tendon problem. The 24‑year‑old, who once occupied a place among the world’s top four, now faces another uncertain period as he also becomes a doubtful contender for Wimbledon later this summer. The announcement marks yet another setback in Draper’s attempt to rebuild his career after a serious arm injury forced him out of competition for roughly eight months. Since his return to the tour in February, he has managed to play only nine matches across five tournaments.
His most recent appearance ended prematurely at the Barcelona Open, where he retired in the first round against Spain’s Tomas Etcheverry. Medical examinations following that match revealed that the knee tendon injury, initially thought to be manageable, had actually become aggravated.
Draper had hoped to be fit in time for the second Grand Slam of the year, but the medical team advised against any rush to play five‑set matches on the demanding clay surface of Roland Garros. In an Instagram story, the young Brit 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 decision is a painful one for Draper, who, less than a year ago, was being touted as a possible challenger to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for major titles. Missing Roland Garros now puts him in the same predicament as Alcaraz, who also withdrew, and it almost guarantees that Draper will slip out of the top 100 in the ATP rankings when he eventually returns to competition.
His absence adds to a string of injuries affecting Britain’s leading players 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 suffering a back injury at the Miami Open, while fellow compatriots Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley continue to battle various fitness concerns. Only Cameron Norrie, who is projected to re‑enter the world’s top‑20 next month, and Katie Boulter represented Britain in the singles draw at the Madrid Open.
They are likely to be the sole British names at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome as well. Raducanu has resumed training and could decide to play at the Foro Italico later this week, a decision that will be closely watched by British fans.
As for Draper, his next realistic opportunity may come on the grass courts of Stuttgart, where he captured his first ATP title earlier in 2024. The Stuttgart event kicks off on June 8, providing a potential platform for him to test his knee in a less physically taxing environment than clay. Should he feel confident, he could then aim for the prestigious Queen’s Club Championships in London, which begin the following week and serve as a key warm‑up for Wimbledon. The broader context of Draper’s withdrawal highlights the challenges faced by British tennis this year.
While the nation’s top players grapple with injuries, the sport’s governing bodies and broadcasters continue to promote coverage. Sky Sports, for instance, encourages fans to follow its WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, and analysis, and it offers live streaming of ATP and WTA events through its NOW platform and dedicated app.
These services promise more than 50 percent additional live sport content at no extra charge for Sky subscribers, ensuring that even when players are absent, the audience can stay engaged with the global tennis calendar. In summary, Jack Draper’s decision to sit out the French Open is driven by a prudent medical recommendation to protect a fragile knee tendon after an aggravated injury. The move underscores the lingering impact of his earlier arm problem and the broader injury woes affecting British tennis. While his immediate focus will be on recovery and a careful return to competition—potentially on the grass of Stuttgart and later at Queen’s—fans will be hoping that the extra time off the court allows him to rebuild strength, regain confidence, and eventually re‑establish himself among the sport’s elite.