Jack Draper has secured a wild‑card invitation to compete in 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 opportunity places him among a select group of players granted entry without having to qualify, alongside fellow Canadians Alexis Galarneau and Liam Draxl, who also received the final wild‑card slots. The British player’s inclusion comes as part of his ongoing effort to rebuild his career after a prolonged battle with a left‑arm injury that has severely limited his tournament schedule. In addition to the Montreal slot, Draper has been handed another wild‑card for the upcoming Cincinnati Open, slated to begin on August 13, giving him back‑to‑back chances to test his form against top‑level competition.
Draper’s 2026 season has been marred by a series of setbacks. A lingering arm problem forced him to miss all three Grand Slam events—the Australian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon—leaving his ranking to tumble to world No. 147.
This drop means he will likely have to navigate the qualifying rounds if he hopes to appear at the US Open in September, as his ranking is insufficient for direct entry into the main draw. The wild‑card for Montreal arrived after a last‑minute withdrawal from the DC Open in Washington, opening a slot for Draper to step in. He has only managed to play five tour‑level events this year, the most recent being the Eastbourne International held last month.
The scarcity of match play has made each appearance crucial for gaining points and rebuilding confidence. Speaking before his withdrawal from Washington, Draper reflected on the hardships of the past year: "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. 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." His comments underscore the mental and physical toll of dealing with multiple injuries, not only to his left arm but also to his knee and shoulder, which have intermittently interrupted his comeback attempts.
Draper’s coaching team is led by Sir Andy Murray, former world No. 1 and two‑time Grand Slam champion, who has been instrumental in guiding the young Brit through this turbulent period.
Under Murray’s mentorship, Draper has focused on rebuilding his fitness foundation, refining his technique, and regaining the competitive edge that once propelled him to a career‑high ranking of world No. 4. The National Bank Open presents a pivotal moment for Draper.
A strong performance could not only earn valuable ranking points but also signal to the broader tennis community that he is on the road to recovery. The tournament’s draw typically features a deep field of elite players, offering Draper the chance to test his game against some of the sport’s best and to gauge how well his body is handling the rigors of high‑intensity matches after a year of limited competition. Beyond the immediate stakes of the Montreal event, Draper’s participation also has implications for his schedule leading up to the US Open.
A solid showing could improve his ranking enough to avoid qualifying, while a poor result might cement his need to fight through the qualifying rounds in New York. The US Open, set to commence on August 30, remains the final Grand Slam of the calendar year, and for Draper, it represents a potential culmination of his comeback narrative. Fans can follow Draper’s progress through multiple platforms. Sky Sports will provide live coverage of the National Bank Open, and viewers can also stream matches via the NOW service or the Sky Sports app, which promises over 50 percent more live sport this year at no additional cost for subscribers.
The broadcaster’s commitment to accessibility includes a recommendation to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video‑player experience. In summary, Jack Draper’s wild‑card entry into the National Bank Open is a significant step in his attempt to rebound from a year‑long injury saga.
With the added wild‑card for Cincinnati, he has back‑to‑back opportunities to prove his fitness and competitiveness. While his ranking has slipped, the support of Sir Andy Murray, the chance to compete against top talent, and the exposure provided by major broadcasters give him a platform to reignite his career. Whether he can translate this opportunity into a deep run remains to be seen, but the stage is set for a compelling chapter in his journey back to the top tiers of professional tennis.