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 decision also casts doubt over his participation at Wimbledon, leaving the 24‑year‑old with another major tournament on the sidelines. This development adds to a string of setbacks for the former world No.
4, who has been fighting to rebuild his career after enduring a serious arm injury that kept him out of competition for roughly eight months. Since making his comeback in February, Draper has only managed to play nine matches across five different events. His most recent appearance ended prematurely when he retired in the first round of the Barcelona Open against Tomas Etcheverry earlier this month. Medical examinations following that retirement revealed that his knee tendon had become aggravated, prompting a more cautious approach to his return.
Initially, Draper had hoped to be fit in time for the second Grand Slam of the season – the French Open – but the advice from his medical team was clear: avoid the rigours of five‑set clay matches until his knee is fully recovered. He communicated the news to his followers via an 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 timing of the withdrawal is especially disappointing for Draper, who less than a year ago was perched among the sport's elite, ranked inside the top four worldwide and widely regarded as a potential challenger to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for future major titles. His absence now places him alongside Alcaraz, who also will miss Roland Garros, and it almost guarantees that Draper will drop well outside the top 100 in the ATP rankings when he eventually returns to competition.
Draper's situation mirrors a broader trend of British tennis players struggling with injuries 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Sonay Kartal has already withdrawn from the French Open after suffering a back injury at the Miami Open, while fellow British players Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley have also been battling various fitness concerns. At present, only Cameron Norrie – who is expected to climb back into the world’s top‑20 next month – and Katie Boulter represented Great Britain in the singles draw at the Madrid Open. The same limited representation may be seen at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome, where the British contingent could be similarly thin.
Raducanu, however, has returned to training and may decide to compete at the Foro Italico, with the British No. 1 expected to announce her plans later in the week. Draper, on the other hand, could aim for a comeback on grass, targeting the Stuttgart tournament where he captured his first ATP title of 2024. That event kicks off on June 8, followed by the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London the next week, offering him a potential pathway back into form before the Wimbledon Championships.
The broader context of this news highlights the challenges faced by the UK's top tennis prospects this year, with injuries and health setbacks limiting their participation across the tour. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments, scores, and video highlights through Sky Sports' various platforms, including the Sky Sports app, the NOW streaming service, and their WhatsApp channel, which provides real‑time sports news, analysis, and exclusive content. Overall, while Draper's withdrawal from Roland Garros is a significant disappointment, his cautious approach to recovery may ultimately serve his long‑term ambitions. By allowing his knee the necessary time to heal and rebuilding his fitness gradually, he hopes to return to the court stronger and capable of competing at the highest level once again.