British tennis prospect Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not compete in the upcoming French Open after doctors identified a worsening knee tendon problem. The decision also casts doubt on his ability to take part in Wimbledon, which was already under question following a lengthy period of inactivity due to a serious arm injury that kept him off the tour for roughly eight months.
The 24‑year‑old, who once occupied a place inside the world’s top four, has struggled to regain his form since returning to competition in February. In that short span he has featured in only nine matches across five tournaments, and his most recent appearance at the Barcelona Open ended prematurely when he retired in the first round against Spain’s Tomas Etcheverry.
Subsequent medical examinations revealed that the knee tendon injury, originally thought to be manageable, had become aggravated, prompting his team to advise him against playing on the demanding clay of Roland Garros. Draper shared the news on his Instagram story, writing, "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 statement underscored the careful approach he and his coaching staff are taking, preferring a gradual return to full‑court competition rather than risking further damage.
The withdrawal is another disappointment in what has been a frustrating season for Britain’s leading male players. Draper’s absence joins that of Carlos Alcaraz, who also will miss the French Open due to injury, and it is likely that Draper will drop well outside the top 100 in the ATP rankings by the time he is fit to compete again.
The loss of a former top‑four talent is a significant blow to the British tennis landscape, which has been hoping for a resurgence after the breakthrough of players like Andy Murray in earlier years. The broader British contingent has also been hit by a series of health setbacks. Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, remains out of action as she continues to recover from lingering post‑viral symptoms that first emerged in February.
Young prospect Sonay Kartal has already withdrawn from Roland Garros after sustaining a back injury at the Miami Open, while fellow Britons Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley are battling their own fitness concerns. At the moment, only Cameron Norrie – who is projected to climb back into the world’s top 20 by next month – and Katie Boulter are representing the United Kingdom in the singles draw at the Madrid Open. Their participation may well be mirrored at the forthcoming Italian Open in Rome, where the British squad could be reduced to the same two players.
Raducanu, however, is making progress in her rehabilitation and is expected to train on the courts of the Foro Italico. The British No.1 will decide later this week whether she will attempt a comeback at the Italian event, a decision that will be closely watched by fans and commentators alike.
As for Draper, his next realistic opportunity to test his recovery could come on the grass courts of Stuttgart, where he captured his first ATP title of 2024 earlier in the season. The Stuttgart tournament begins on June 8, and a strong showing there could serve as a springboard toward a return at the prestigious Queen’s Club Championships in London the following week, which traditionally act as a warm‑up for Wimbledon. In addition to the on‑court developments, Sky Sports continues to promote its coverage of the ATP and WTA tours, offering live streaming through its NOW platform and dedicated app. Subscribers can access a broader array of live sports, with the network claiming more than a 50 percent increase in live content for the current year.
Viewers are encouraged to use Chrome for the optimal video experience, and the service highlights the convenience of following tennis news, scores, and highlights via its WhatsApp channel. Overall, Draper’s withdrawal underscores the fragile nature of a professional tennis career, where injuries can swiftly derail even the most promising trajectories. The young Briton’s focus now shifts to rehabilitation, careful conditioning, and a measured return to competition, with the ultimate goal of reclaiming his place among the sport’s elite and delivering the performances that fans have come to expect from a former top‑four player.