British tennis hopeful Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not take part in the forthcoming French Open after suffering a setback with a knee tendon injury. The decision also casts doubt over his participation at Wimbledon, as he continues to manage his recovery.
This development marks yet another hurdle for the former world No. 4, who has been striving to rebuild his career following a serious arm injury that kept him off the tour for almost eight months. Since making his comeback in February, Draper has only managed to compete in nine matches spread across five tournaments.
His most recent appearance ended prematurely when he was forced to retire in the first round of the Barcelona Open against Tomas Etcheverry earlier this month. Medical examinations after that match revealed that his knee tendon had been aggravated, prompting doctors to advise him against playing the clay‑court marathon of Roland Garros. Draper had initially hoped to be fit in time for the second Grand Slam of the season, but the severity of the knee problem forced a reassessment of his schedule.
In an Instagram story, the 24‑year‑old 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.
After 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 withdrawal is a bitter disappointment for a player who, less than a year ago, was ranked among the world’s top four and was being talked about as a potential challenger to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for major titles. Missing Roland Garros now puts Draper in the same predicament as Alcaraz, who also had to skip the tournament due to injury concerns. The likely consequence is that Draper will drop well outside the top 100 by the time he returns to competition.
Draper’s absence adds to a string of setbacks for Britain’s leading tennis prospects this season. Emma Raducanu remains sidelined as she continues to recover from lingering post‑viral symptoms that followed an illness in early February. Meanwhile, Sonay Kartal has already withdrawn from the French Open after sustaining a back injury at the Miami Open last month. Fellow British players Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley have also been battling fitness problems.
Only Cameron Norrie, who is expected to re‑enter the world top 20 next month, and Katie Boulter were representing Britain in the singles draw at the Madrid Open, and a similar situation may repeat itself at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome. Raducanu has resumed training and could potentially appear at the Foro Italico, with a decision on her participation expected later in the week. For Draper, the next realistic opportunity to compete may come on the grass courts of Stuttgart, where he captured his first ATP title of 2024. The Stuttgart tournament kicks off on June 8, followed by the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London the subsequent week, offering him a chance to test his knee on a less demanding surface before tackling the rigors of Wimbledon.
The broader context of British tennis this year has been one of disappointment and injury woes. While the nation’s top players grapple with recovery, fans can still follow the action through Sky Sports’ various platforms, including live streams, video highlights, and detailed analysis. The Sky Sports app and NOW streaming service provide access to a wide range of ATP and WTA matches, promising more than 50 percent additional live sport coverage at no extra charge for subscribers. In summary, Jack Draper’s withdrawal from the French Open underscores the fragile nature of a professional tennis career, especially when returning from a major injury.
His focus now shifts to proper rehabilitation, gradual return to match play, and the hope of re‑establishing himself on the tour later in the season, beginning with the grass‑court events in Germany and the United Kingdom.