Former British No. 1 Jack Draper will have to battle through the qualifying rounds to earn a place in the main draw of this year’s US Open after his recent semi‑final run failed to secure him a direct entry. The 24‑year‑old’s season has been a roller‑coaster of promise and setbacks, and his current ranking of 147 in the world reflects the toll that recurring injuries have taken on his schedule. After missing Wimbledon because of a renewed bone bruise in his left arm, Draper is set to make his comeback at the DC Open in Washington, which begins on July 27.
The arm injury, a lingering issue that first forced him off the tour a year ago, has limited his participation to only a handful of events since his return. Each time he has tried to re‑establish himself, the problem has resurfaced, forcing him to withdraw or play at a reduced level.
The cumulative effect has been a slide down the ATP rankings, pushing him well outside the top‑100 and into the realm where players must earn their spots through qualifying matches. The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the calendar year, typically grants direct acceptance to the top 104 players based on the ATP rankings at the entry deadline. Because Draper’s ranking has slipped to 147, he falls short of the cutoff and will need to win three qualifying matches to secure a berth in the main draw.
Qualifying for a Grand Slam is a grueling process, often pitting lower‑ranked but hungry players against each other in high‑stakes, best‑of‑three set contests. For Draper, it represents both a challenge and an opportunity to regain confidence after a season marred by physical setbacks. British tennis fans will also be watching the rise of Arthur Fery, who has claimed the position of the new British men’s No.
1 after a spectacular Wimbledon semi‑final appearance as a wild‑card entrant. Fery’s surge to world No.
36 has earned him direct entry into Flushing Meadows, marking his debut at the US Open. Alongside him, former champion Emma Raducanu, currently ranked 37th, will also be just outside the seeded positions but comfortably within the main draw. Other UK hopefuls such as Cam Norrie, Jan Choinski, and Katie Boulter have already secured their places, promising a strong British contingent when the tournament kicks off on August 30.
The men’s and women’s singles fields in New York will be headlined by two‑time defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka and Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner. Sabalenka is aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams (who won three consecutive US Opens from 2012‑14) to capture three straight titles at the Flushing Meadows venue.
Sinner, fresh off a triumph at Wimbledon where he defeated Alexander Zverev, will be seeking to reclaim the US Open crown that eluded him last year when he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in a tightly contested final. Alcaraz, the current world No.
3 and third seed in New York, has missed the previous two majors due to a wrist injury but hopes to return to form during the North American hard‑court swing. For fans wanting to follow the action, the tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app. Subscribers will benefit from an expanded sports package that promises over 50 percent more live coverage than previous seasons, all at no extra charge. Those using a Chrome browser will enjoy a more accessible video player for seamless viewing.
Jack Draper’s path forward will hinge on his ability to stay healthy and navigate the qualifying draw successfully. A strong showing in Washington could provide valuable match practice and momentum heading into the US Open qualifiers.
If he can overcome the physical hurdles that have plagued his career and translate his talent into wins on the hard courts of the United States, Draper could not only secure a spot in the main draw but also make a statement about his resilience and potential to climb back up the rankings. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for the young Briton as he strives to rewrite the narrative of a season that has been dominated by injury setbacks and to re‑establish himself among the sport’s elite.