Jack Draper has been granted a wild‑card entry into 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. This invitation places Draper among the final trio of wild‑card recipients, alongside fellow Canadians Alexis Galarneau and Liam Draxl, as he continues his determined effort to return to competitive form after a lingering left‑arm injury. The former world No.
4 has also secured a wild‑card slot for the upcoming Cincinnati Open, scheduled to commence on August 13, following the conclusion of the Montreal tournament. These opportunities are especially significant given the difficult season Draper has endured.
Throughout 2026, injuries have forced him to miss all three of the sport’s Grand Slam events – the Australian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon – and have limited his participation to just a handful of ATP tour stops. Draper’s path to the National Bank Open was paved by a late withdrawal from this week’s DC Open in Washington, D.C., which opened a place in the main draw for the British player. At present, Draper sits at world No.
147 in the ATP rankings, a steep drop from his peak position. This ranking means he will likely need to battle through qualifying rounds if he hopes to compete at the US Open in September, as he has missed the automatic entry cutoff for the main draw.
Coached by former Grand Slam champion Sir Andy Murray, Draper has been working tirelessly on his rehabilitation. He has only taken part in five tour events this year, the most recent being the Eastbourne International last month.
In a candid interview before his withdrawal from Washington, Draper reflected on the challenges he has faced: "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." He continued, "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." These remarks underscore the physical and mental toll that a prolonged injury can exact on a professional athlete, particularly one who has been accustomed to competing at the highest level. The arm issue that first forced Draper to step away from the tour a year ago has been compounded by additional setbacks, including knee and shoulder problems that have intermittently disrupted his comeback attempts. Despite these hurdles, the British player’s determination remains evident.
The wild‑card entries for Montreal and Cincinnati represent not only a chance to earn valuable ranking points but also an opportunity to test his fitness against top‑tier competition. Looking ahead, Draper’s prospects for the final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open, are uncertain. Missing the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon has already placed his season in a precarious position, and a successful run in Montreal could be pivotal in rebuilding confidence and momentum. A strong performance might improve his ranking enough to avoid qualifying rounds, though the deadline for direct entry is fast approaching.
Fans can follow Draper’s progress via Sky Sports, which will provide live coverage of the National Bank Open. Additionally, the matches will be available for streaming without a contract through the NOW platform, as well as via the Sky Sports app. These services give subscribers access to a broader array of live sports content, with Sky Sports promising over 50 percent more live sport this year at no additional cost.
In summary, Jack Draper’s receipt of a wild‑card for the Montreal event marks a critical juncture in a season marred by injury and missed opportunities. With the support of his coaching team, including Sir Andy Murray, and the chance to compete against elite opponents in both Montreal and Cincinnati, Draper aims to reestablish his place on the tour. The coming weeks will be a test of his physical recovery, mental resilience, and ability to translate his talent into results on the court, potentially setting the stage for a hopeful push toward the US Open and beyond.