Former British No. 1 Jack Draper will have to battle through the qualifying rounds to earn a place in this year’s US Open after failing to secure automatic entry into the main draw. The 24‑year‑old, who reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam in 2024, saw his ranking slip to world No.
147 following a series of setbacks, meaning he now faces the extra hurdle of qualifying for the final major of the season. Draper is scheduled to make his comeback at the DC Open in Washington, which begins on July 27.
He missed Wimbledon entirely after a recurrence of a bone bruise in his left arm forced him to withdraw. This injury marks the latest in a string of physical problems that have plagued Draper since he first stepped away from the tour a year ago to address the same issue.
The lingering arm trouble has limited his tournament schedule to just a handful of events over the past twelve months, preventing him from building momentum and defending the points he earned during his breakthrough runs. The dip in his ATP ranking has been steep. Once perched inside the top 50, Draper now finds himself outside the top 100, a position that typically requires players to compete in qualifying draws for Grand Slam events. As a result, he will need to win several matches in the US Open qualifying tournament in order to secure one of the coveted spots in the main 128‑player field.
Qualifying is a grueling process, often featuring players who are hungry and match‑fit, making it a tough road for anyone hoping to re‑establish themselves on the biggest stage. While Draper prepares for his qualifying campaign, other British players are set to appear directly in the main draw at Flushing Meadows. Arthur Fery, who recently claimed the British men’s No. 1 ranking after an impressive run to the Wimbledon semifinals as a wild‑card entrant, has climbed to world No.
36. His surge in the rankings guarantees him direct acceptance into the US Open field. Alongside him, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, currently ranked 37th, will also be in the draw, though both sit just outside the top‑32 seeds. They will be joined by compatriots Cam Norrie, Jan Choinski and Katie Boulter, all of whom have earned spots in the main tournament.
The US Open will also feature marquee names on both the men’s and women’s sides. Two‑time defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka will be aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams (who won three consecutive titles from 2012‑14) to capture a third straight US Open crown. On the men’s side, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, fresh off a Wimbledon triumph over Alexander Zverev, will be looking to reclaim the title he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final. Alcaraz, the 2024 champion who missed the previous two majors due to a wrist injury, is slated to return during the North American hard‑court swing and will be seeded third in the tournament.
British fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast the tournament from August 30 onward. In addition to traditional TV coverage, Sky Sports subscribers can stream matches via the NOW platform or the Sky Sports app, offering access to more than half again as much live sport as last year at no extra charge. The network’s comprehensive coverage includes both ATP and WTA tours, as well as the main draw matches, ensuring that viewers can keep up with every twist and turn of the competition.
For Jack Draper, the qualifying rounds represent both a challenge and an opportunity. A successful run through the qualifiers could provide a confidence boost and valuable match play ahead of the hard‑court season, while a deep run in the main draw would help him regain ranking points and re‑establish his position among the world’s elite. As he steps onto the courts in Washington to test his fitness and form, all eyes will be on whether he can overcome his recent injury woes and return to the level that saw him become a Grand Slam semifinalist just a year ago.
In summary, while Draper’s immediate future involves fighting for a place in the US Open via the qualifying tournament, the broader British contingent is well‑represented in the main draw, with several players poised to make an impact in New York. The tournament promises high‑stakes drama, with Sabalenka eyeing a historic third title and Sinner seeking redemption after last year’s loss. Fans can enjoy comprehensive coverage through Sky Sports and its streaming partners, ensuring that the excitement of the US Open reaches audiences worldwide.