Jack Draper has secured a wild‑card invitation to compete in the National Bank Open, the premier ATP Masters 1000 event held in Montreal, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting Monday, August 3. The British youngster joins fellow wild‑card recipients Canadians Alexis Galarneau and Liam Draxl as he strives to rebuild his career after a protracted left‑arm injury. The former world number four has endured a particularly difficult 2026 season, missing all three of the sport's Grand Slam tournaments due to a cascade of physical setbacks.
His participation in the National Bank Open comes after a late withdrawal from the Washington DC Open, opening a slot for him in the Canadian draw. Draper, who works under the guidance of former champion Sir Andy Murray, has seen his ATP ranking tumble to 147, a position that will likely force him into qualifying rounds for the upcoming US Open in September unless he can secure direct entry through a strong performance. In recent weeks Draper has only taken part in five tour‑level events. His most recent appearance was at the Eastbourne International last month, where he managed a few competitive minutes before the lingering effects of his arm trouble forced him to pull back.
Speaking before his withdrawal from Washington, Draper reflected on the past year, saying, "I've had an incredibly challenging 12 months, a lot of adversity, a lot of problem solving, a lot of pain, and trying to understand that and come through it. I've never had a long‑term injury before so I feel much better than I ever have in the last year.
I feel physically really good." The path back to form has been anything but straightforward. Draper first stepped away from the tour a year ago when a left‑arm issue flared, and since then his schedule has been punctuated by sporadic appearances.
In addition to the arm injury, he has grappled with knee and shoulder problems that have further delayed his comeback. As a result, he missed the Australian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon this season, leaving his prospects for the final Grand Slam of the year—the US Open—highly uncertain. Despite these obstacles, Draper remains determined to prove that he can still compete at the highest level.
The wild‑card entry into Montreal provides a valuable opportunity to test his fitness against some of the world's best players on a big stage. A strong showing could boost his confidence, improve his ranking, and perhaps secure him a place in the US Open main draw without having to battle through qualifiers. The National Bank Open itself is a marquee event on the ATP calendar, attracting top‑ranked talent and offering significant ranking points and prize money. For Draper, the tournament represents a chance to regain momentum and re‑establish his reputation after a season marred by injuries.
It also allows him to showcase the progress he has made under Murray's mentorship, as the former champion continues to develop the next generation of British tennis talent. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, which will provide comprehensive coverage of the tournament, including pre‑match analysis, player interviews, and post‑match highlights. For those without a Sky Sports subscription, the matches are also available to stream contract‑free via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, giving viewers access to a broader array of live sporting events at no additional cost. Looking ahead, Draper's schedule beyond Montreal remains tentative.
If he can navigate the physical demands of the National Bank Open without aggravating his injuries, he may still have a window to compete in the US Open qualifiers later in September. However, the cumulative toll of a year filled with medical setbacks means that his team will need to carefully manage his workload to avoid further complications.
In summary, Jack Draper's wild‑card entry into the National Bank Open marks a pivotal moment in his comeback journey. After a year of battling a left‑arm injury, missed Grand Slams, and a steep drop in rankings, he now has a platform to demonstrate his resilience and skill. The tournament offers not only a chance to earn valuable ranking points but also an opportunity to re‑ignite his career trajectory under the watchful eye of Sir Andy Murray. Tennis enthusiasts can catch every rally, serve, and breakthrough moment on Sky Sports starting August 3, with additional streaming options available for those preferring digital platforms.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Draper can translate his determination into tangible results on the court and secure his place among the sport's elite once again.