Jack Draper has appealed to his supporters to exercise patience as he gears up for his much‑anticipated return following an arm injury that forced him out of the DC Open. The 23‑year‑old, who previously held a career‑high ranking of world No. 4, has not taken part in any of the three Grand Slam events in 2026, but a wildcard entry has secured him a spot at the National Bank Open in Montreal. This appearance serves as a stepping stone toward the US Open qualifying rounds, especially after his ranking slipped to No.
147. The British talent, coached by former champion Sir Andy Murray, is slated to open his comeback against Frenchman Terrance Atmane at approximately 7:10 p.m.
BST on Monday, with the match being broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. Draper will have two more tournaments on his schedule before he heads across the Atlantic for the US Open, giving him a chance to gauge his form and fitness in competitive settings. In a candid interview with Sky Sports News, Draper highlighted the positive impact of adding Sir Andy Murray to his support team. "Having Sir Andy on board has been a massive benefit," he said.
"He’s endured a great deal of adversity in his own career, so his perspective is invaluable as I navigate my own challenges." He also stressed the complexity of his injury, noting that recovery is not a straightforward process of simply resting and hoping for the best. "The injury I’m dealing with is very intricate," Draper explained.
"Everyone around me is doing everything possible to keep the rehabilitation moving forward, but it isn’t as simple as ‘rest, heal, and you’ll be fine.’" Despite a difficult season in which he managed to compete in only five tour events over eight months, Draper remains optimistic about his overall wellbeing. "Off the court I’m doing amazingly well, and on the court I’m managing the situation quite effectively," he said.
"I’m at a point where I feel confident that I’ll get through this period. It will take time, but I’m following the right protocol and I have a fantastic support network behind me." The British player’s ranking tumble—down 143 places over the past year—has not dampened his resolve.
He believes he is now in the best position he’s been in during the last twelve months. "The process I’m on is truly a game of patience," Draper remarked. "It’s about finding the right training load, the appropriate intensity, and giving myself the space to integrate everything I’m doing both on and off the court. The goal is to reach a point where everything clicks and I can finally make the breakthrough I’ve been working toward." Draper emphasized that his gradual progress is bringing him closer to that breakthrough moment.
"I can see real improvement and I’m staying on the court more consistently," he said. "I feel that the moment I’ve been waiting for is finally arriving." He also addressed the difficulty of having to withdraw from tournaments at the last minute. "Those decisions are made with a long‑term career perspective in mind," he explained. "I need to test myself in tournaments to understand where I stand, even if it means pulling out when necessary." Describing his recent challenges as a "perfect storm," Draper painted a vivid picture of the confluence of injury setbacks, ranking drops, and limited playing opportunities that have tested his resilience.
"When I emerge from this storm, I intend to push forward with even greater determination, aiming to reach—and surpass—my goals," he concluded. Fans can watch Draper’s return at the National Bank Open in Montreal, which begins on August 3, and follow his journey through the US Open starting August 30. Both events will be available live on Sky Sports and can also be streamed via NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering Sky Sports subscribers access to more than 50 percent additional live sport coverage at no extra charge.
This expanded coverage ensures that viewers can stay up‑to‑date with Draper’s progress and enjoy a comprehensive tennis viewing experience throughout the summer season.