Jack Draper has appealed to his followers to exercise patience as he works his way back to full fitness after the former world No.4 was forced to retire from the DC Open due to an arm problem. The young Brit, who missed all three Grand Slam events in 2026, has secured a wild‑card entry into the National Bank Open in Montreal, a key stepping stone before he attempts to qualify for the US Open, following a tumble in the rankings that saw him slip to world No.147. Coached by former champion Sir Andy Murray, Draper is slated to compete in two preparatory tournaments ahead of his New York campaign. He told Sky Sports News that his rehabilitation is nearing its final stages after a grueling year in which injuries limited him to just five tour‑level appearances over an eight‑month span.
"Having Sir Andy on my team has been an enormous advantage," Draper said. "He’s endured a great deal of hardship in his own career, so his perspective is invaluable." He went on to explain that his injury is not a straightforward case of "rest and recover". "The problem I’m dealing with is quite complex and multifaceted," he noted. "Everyone around me is doing everything possible to keep the recovery process moving forward.
It isn’t as simple as taking a break and magically being back to full strength." Despite the setbacks, Draper emphasized that his life off the court remains stable and that his on‑court performance is improving. "Everything outside of tennis is going amazingly well, and on the court I’m managing my game better each day. I’m now at a point where I feel confident that I’ll get through this phase," he added. He acknowledged that the path to full recovery will take time, but stressed that he is following the correct protocol and receiving strong support from his team.
"It’s just going to take some time, but I’m doing all the right things, and the people around me are really supporting me," he said. Even though his ranking has dropped by 143 places over the past year, Draper remains upbeat about his chances of returning to top‑flight tennis. "I’m in the best place I’ve been in the last year," he affirmed.
"The process I’m on is a true patience game. It’s about finding the right training load, the right intensity, and giving myself the space to let everything I’m doing—both on and off the court—come together." He expressed confidence that the breakthrough moment is imminent. "I’m able to make real progress and stay on the court longer now. I’m getting closer to that moment, and I believe that moment is now," Draper said.
"That’s why it’s been difficult to commit to tournaments and sometimes having to withdraw at the last minute. Those decisions are based on the fact that I have a long career ahead of me, and I need to understand where I stand." Describing his recent challenges as a "perfect storm," Draper reflected on the convergence of injury, ranking decline, and limited match play. "It really has been a perfect storm for me in many ways," he remarked.
"When I finally get out of this storm, I’ll push forward with the aim of reaching where I want to be—and beyond." Looking ahead, Draper is set to make his comeback at the National Bank Open in Montreal, beginning on August 3, before heading to the US Open, which kicks off on August 30. Fans can follow his progress live on Sky Sports or stream via NOW and the Sky Sports app, which offers subscribers access to more than half again as much live sport this year at no extra cost. In summary, Jack Draper’s message to his supporters is clear: patience and understanding are essential as he navigates a complicated recovery. With the guidance of Sir Andy Murray, a carefully managed training regimen, and a strategic tournament schedule, he aims to rebuild his ranking and re‑establish himself among tennis’s elite.
The upcoming weeks in Montreal and New York will be critical milestones on his road back to full competitiveness.