Jack Draper has announced that he will not be taking part in the upcoming DC Open after suffering a problem with his left arm. The 25‑year‑old Briton, who once held a career‑high ranking of world No. 4, has endured a tumultuous 2026 season riddled with injuries that have forced him out of all three Grand Slam events so far this year. His decision to withdraw was made just one day after he publicly stated that he felt "physically good," a comment that now appears to have been overly optimistic given the latest setback.
The injury comes at a particularly low point in Draper's career. After a promising rise that saw him break into the top five of the ATP rankings, he has now slipped dramatically to world No. 147.
This steep drop means that, should he manage to return to competition in time for the US Open in September, he will almost certainly have to battle through the qualifying rounds rather than receiving direct entry into the main draw. The prospect of having to qualify for the final major of the season adds another layer of difficulty to an already challenging comeback.
During a press conference on Sunday, Draper opened up about the hardships he has faced over the past twelve months. "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 said, reflecting on the series of setbacks that have plagued his schedule. He went on to explain that this was the first time in his professional life that he had been forced to contend with a long‑term injury, adding, "I feel much better than I ever have in the last year.
I feel physically really good." The optimism in his words, however, was quickly undercut by the news of his arm injury, which forced him to pull out of the DC Open. Draper's injury woes are not limited to his arm. He first stepped away from the tour a year ago when the same arm problem first emerged, and since then his appearances have been sporadic at best.
In addition to the arm, he has also struggled with knee and shoulder issues that have repeatedly interrupted his attempts to regain form. These recurring physical problems have limited his tournament play to only a handful of events over the past twelve months, preventing him from building the match fitness and confidence needed to compete at the highest level. The timing of this latest withdrawal is particularly unfortunate because it follows a period in which Draper missed the Australian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon. With those three Grand Slam tournaments already out of reach, his hopes of participating in the US Open—the final major of the 2026 calendar—are now hanging by a thread.
If his arm does not heal sufficiently before the US Open qualifying rounds begin, he may be forced to sit out yet another Grand Slam, a scenario that would be a severe blow to his ranking and his morale. Draper is coached by former world No.
1 Sir Andy Murray, who has been a steady presence throughout the British player's career. Murray has publicly expressed his support for Draper, emphasizing the importance of patience and proper rehabilitation.
"Jack is a fighter," Murray said in a recent interview. "He has the talent and the mindset to come back, but he needs to give his body the time it needs to heal fully. Rushing back could cause further damage, and we want to avoid that at all costs." The broader tennis community has also taken note of Draper's situation.
Fans and fellow players alike have expressed sympathy and encouragement on social media, acknowledging the difficulty of dealing with multiple injuries in such a short span of time. Many have highlighted the resilience Draper has shown, pointing out that his willingness to speak openly about his struggles helps to destigmatize injury discussions in a sport that often emphasizes toughness and perseverance. In terms of his schedule moving forward, Draper and his team will likely focus on a carefully managed rehabilitation program, aiming to restore full strength and mobility to his left arm while also addressing the lingering knee and shoulder concerns.
The goal will be to return to competitive play in a condition that allows him to compete without the constant fear of re‑injury. This may involve a gradual re‑entry into lower‑tier tournaments to rebuild confidence and match sharpness before attempting to qualify for larger events like the US Open. For tennis enthusiasts looking to follow Draper's recovery and future matches, several broadcasting options are available. Sky Sports continues to provide live coverage of ATP and WTA events, as well as the US Open, starting on August 30.
Subscribers can also stream matches via the NOW platform or the Sky Sports app, which offers an expanded slate of live sports at no additional cost for existing Sky Sports customers. These platforms will likely feature updates on Draper's progress and any announcements regarding his return to the tour. In summary, Jack Draper's withdrawal from the DC Open underscores a year marked by physical setbacks and ranking decline. While he has expressed optimism about his physical state, the reality of a lingering arm injury forces him to sit out another tournament, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming US Open.
With the support of his coach Sir Andy Murray and a dedicated medical team, Draper will aim to navigate a careful recovery path, hoping to regain his former standing on the ATP tour and once again compete at the sport's highest level.