British tennis prospect Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not be taking part in the upcoming French Open after medical staff identified a persistent knee tendon problem. The decision also casts doubt on his ability to compete at Wimbledon, which follows a challenging period for the former world No. 4 as he attempts to rebuild his career after a serious arm injury that kept him out of competition for most of the past eight months.
Since making his comeback in February, Draper has only managed to play nine matches spread across five different tournaments. His most recent appearance was at the Barcelona Open, where he was forced to retire in the first round against Tomas Etcheverry because of the worsening condition in his knee.
Subsequent examinations revealed that the tendon injury had become aggravated, and although he had initially hoped to be fit in time for the second Grand Slam of the year, the medical team advised against risking a premature return on the demanding clay courts of Roland Garros. In a brief Instagram story, Draper explained his situation to fans: "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!" His words underscore the delicate balance he must strike between recovery and the desire to compete at the highest level. The withdrawal is a major disappointment for the 24‑year‑old, who less than a year ago was ranked among the world’s top four and was widely regarded as a potential challenger to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for future major titles.
Missing Roland Garros now places him alongside Alcaraz, who also withdrew, and it is highly likely that Draper will fall outside the top 100 in the ATP rankings by the time he returns to competition. Draper’s absence adds to a broader pattern of setbacks for Britain’s leading tennis hopefuls this season. Emma Raducanu remains out of action as she continues to recover from lingering post‑viral symptoms that followed an illness in early February.
Sonay Kartal has already announced she will miss the French Open after sustaining a back injury at the Miami Open, while fellow British players Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley are also battling various fitness concerns. Cameron Norrie, who is on the cusp of re‑entering the world’s top‑20, and Katie Boulter were the only British singles competitors still present at the Madrid Open, and they may be the sole representatives again at the forthcoming Italian Open in Rome.
Raducanu has returned to training and could potentially line up for a wildcard entry at the Foro Italico, with a final decision expected later in the week. For Draper, the next realistic opportunity to test his form may come on grass rather than clay. He could aim to compete at the Stuttgart Open, a tournament where he captured his first ATP title earlier in 2024.
That event begins on June 8, and a strong showing there could serve as a springboard toward the prestigious HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London the following week, which traditionally acts as a key preparation event for Wimbledon. Beyond the individual narratives, the situation highlights the broader challenges faced by British tennis in 2024.
With several top players sidelined by injury or illness, the nation’s prospects at the Grand Slam level are currently limited. Nonetheless, the resilience shown by players like Draper—who continues to work on his recovery despite repeated setbacks—offers a glimpse of optimism for the future. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how quickly he can regain his pre‑injury form and whether he can once again contend for major titles.
For those following the developments, Sky Sports provides ongoing coverage, including live scores, match highlights, and in‑depth analysis across its platforms. The network also offers streaming options through its NOW service and the Sky Sports app, granting subscribers access to a larger share of live sport without additional fees. Further updates on Draper’s recovery timeline, potential tournament entries, and the overall state of British tennis will be reported as the season progresses.