Jack Draper has appealed to his supporters for patience as he prepares to make his return after a recent arm injury forced him to withdraw from the DC Open. The 23‑year‑old, who previously held a career‑high ranking of world No. 4, has not featured in any of the three Grand Slam events this year, but he has secured a wild‑card entry into the National Bank Open in Montreal. This tournament will serve as a stepping stone toward the US Open qualifying rounds, especially important now that his ranking has slipped to No.
147. His first match back is slated against French competitor Terrance Atmane and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. Originally set for Monday, the fixture was pushed to Tuesday evening due to rain in Montreal.
Draper, who works under the guidance of former champion Sir Andy Murray, will also compete in two additional events before heading to New York for the US Open qualifiers. In a candid interview with Sky Sports News, Draper explained that his recovery is finally nearing its end after a grueling season that saw him play only five tour events over the past eight months.
"Having Sir Andy on my team has been a massive benefit," he said, noting that Murray’s own experience with adversity offers valuable perspective. "The injury I’m dealing with is very complex; it’s not as simple as ‘rest, heal and you’ll be fine.’ Everyone around me is doing everything they can to keep the progress moving forward." Draper emphasized that his life off the court is thriving, and his on‑court performance is also improving.
"I’m at a point now where I’m happy that I’ll get through this period. It will take time, but I’m doing all the right things and the people around me are really supportive," he added. Despite a steep drop of 143 places in the rankings over the last twelve months, Draper remains optimistic about a full‑strength resurgence. "I’m in the best place I’ve been in the last year," he remarked.
"The process is a patience game – finding the right load, the right intensity, and giving the work I do both on and off the court time to come together. I hope this will lead to a breakthrough." He continued, "I’m able to progress and stay on the court.
I’m getting closer to that moment, and I believe that moment is now. It’s been difficult to enter tournaments and then have to pull out at the last minute, but those decisions are based on the fact that I have a long career ahead of me.
I need to play to understand where I stand." Describing his situation as a "perfect storm," Draper said, "When I get out of this storm, I’ll push on to reach where I want to be and beyond." His upcoming appearance at the National Bank Open will be closely watched by fans eager to see whether he can translate his recent improvements into tangible results, and his performance will also be a key indicator of his readiness for the US Open later in the season. The broader tennis calendar in 2026 remains packed, with major tournaments and ATP/WTA events drawing global attention.
Sky Sports continues to provide live coverage, and viewers can stream matches without a contract through NOW or the Sky Sports app. For those following Draper’s journey, his comeback in Montreal offers a compelling narrative of resilience, strategic planning, and the pursuit of excellence despite the setbacks of a challenging year. Overall, Draper’s message to his fan base is clear: patience and support are essential as he navigates the complexities of his injury and works toward reclaiming his place among the sport’s elite. His determination, combined with the expertise of his coaching team, suggests that the next few months could mark a turning point in his career, setting the stage for a potential return to top‑level competition and perhaps a future climb back up the rankings.