Jack Draper has asked his supporters to be patient as he works his way back onto the tour after withdrawing from the DC Open because of an arm problem. The 24‑year‑old, who once reached a career‑high of world No.
4, has missed all three Grand Slam events in 2026, but he has secured a wild‑card entry into the National Bank Open in Montreal. The invitation comes as he aims to rebuild his ranking, which has slipped to No. 147, and to mount a qualification push for the US Open. Draper’s first match back will be against Frenchman Terrance Atmane, a contest that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
Originally slated for Monday, the meeting was pushed to Tuesday evening after rain disrupted the schedule in Montreal. The Brit, who now works under the guidance of Sir Andy Murray, has two more tournaments lined up before he heads to New York for the US Open qualifiers. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Draper highlighted the positive impact of having Sir Andy on his coaching team. "Having Sir Andy Murray join my team has been a huge advantage," he said.
"He’s endured a lot of hardship in his own career, and that experience is invaluable to me." He also emphasized the complexity of his injury, noting that recovery is not simply a matter of rest. "The injury I’m dealing with is very intricate, and everyone around me is doing everything possible to keep the rehabilitation moving forward," Draper explained. "It’s not just ‘rest, heal, and you’ll be fine.’" Despite the setbacks, Draper remains optimistic about his overall wellbeing. "Off the court, things are going great for me, and on the court I’m managing well too," he added.
"I’m at a point where I feel confident that I’ll get through this period. It will take time, but I’m doing the right things and I have a strong support network." The British player’s ranking has dropped dramatically—by 143 places over the past year—yet he believes he is in the best position he’s been in for a long time. "The process I’m on is a real patience game," Draper said. "It’s about finding the right load, the right intensity, and giving the work I do both on and off the court time to come together.
My goal is to reach that breakthrough moment." He noted that the recent string of withdrawals from tournaments has been difficult but necessary. "Those decisions are based on the fact that I have a long career ahead of me," he explained. "I need to test myself at events to understand where I stand, even if it means pulling out at the last minute when I’m not fully ready." Draper described his situation as a "perfect storm" of challenges. "It’s been a perfect storm for me in many ways," he admitted.
"When I finally get out of this storm, I intend to push forward and aim for the level I know I can reach, and then some." The upcoming National Bank Open will be Draper’s first significant appearance of the season, offering a chance to gauge his form against top competition. Fans can follow the match live on Sky Sports or stream it through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app. The tournament also serves as a stepping stone toward the US Open, which begins on August 30 and will also be available via Sky Sports coverage. In summary, Jack Draper is navigating a challenging recovery from a complex arm injury, but with the added expertise of Sir Andy Murray, a supportive team, and a clear plan for gradual progression, he is determined to return to his previous high‑level performance.
While patience is required from his followers, Draper’s confidence in his rehabilitation process and his commitment to a measured, strategic comeback suggest that his resurgence on the ATP circuit could be on the horizon.