Jack Draper was left in tears after his defeat to France’s Terence Atmane at the Canadian Open, a match that seemed to bring back the specter of his lingering arm injury. The 24‑year‑old Brit, who was making his first appearance since withdrawing from Wimbledon, had only played in five tournaments earlier in the season, and the Montreal loss marked his sixth overall.
In a three‑set battle that ended 6‑3, 2‑6, 6‑2 in Atmane’s favour, Draper’s emotional response on court highlighted the physical and mental toll of his ongoing health issues. The match began with Draper appearing a little rusty, a likely side‑effect of his limited match play this year. After a shaky opening set that he eventually lost 6‑3, he seemed to find his rhythm in the second set, blasting through it 6‑2 with a display of the aggressive baseline tennis that had propelled him up the rankings. However, the momentum was short‑lived.
In the deciding set, the power behind his serves and groundstrokes noticeably waned, suggesting that his arm was not coping with the demands of high‑level competition. Midway through the third set, with Atmane leading 4‑1, Draper abruptly sat down on the baseline and began to weep openly, his tears flowing uncontrollably.
The emotional outburst lasted through the entire change‑over, drawing concern from commentators, spectators, and his own coaching team. Despite the visible distress, the young Brit managed to rally, breaking Atmane’s serve and holding his own to keep the set alive. Yet the physical strain was evident; his serve speed dropped dramatically, and he refrained from attacking shots, opting instead for a more defensive approach. At the end of an hour and 52 minutes, Atmane clinched the match, leaving Draper to confront both a loss and a painful reminder of his injury.
Draper’s rise in the ATP ranks has been meteoric. By June 2025, he had climbed to a career‑high world No. 4, positioning himself as a credible challenger to the dominance of players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. However, his ascent has been hampered by a bone bruise in his left arm that first surfaced earlier in the season.
The injury, described by his team as a “bone bruise,” has persisted, limiting his ability to generate the same serve velocity and groundstroke power that characterized his breakthrough performances. In 2026, Draper managed to reach the quarter‑finals at Indian Wells in March and the semi‑finals at Eastbourne in June, demonstrating that his talent remains intact when he is fit.
Nonetheless, consistency has eluded him, largely due to the recurring arm issue. Sir Andy Murray joined Draper’s coaching staff in May, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective. Montreal was only the second tournament in which Draper could compete under Murray’s guidance, underscoring how limited his recent match play has been.
Looking ahead, Draper holds a wildcard entry into the upcoming Cincinnati Open. Yet his recent performance in Montreal raises fresh doubts about his ability to compete not only in Cincinnati but also at the US Open, which commences at the end of August. The uncertainty surrounding his health has become a focal point for British tennis fans, who are eager to see him fulfill the promise he showed earlier in his career.
Other British players offered a glimmer of optimism during the same event. Jacob Fearnley secured a victory over Adrian Mannarino, winning 7‑6(4), 6‑4, and will now face 13th‑seed Jakub Mensik. Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie advanced after a first‑round win, setting up a clash with 29th‑seed Ignacio Buse.
Their successes provided a contrast to Draper’s struggles and highlighted the depth of talent emerging from the United Kingdom. Sky Sports analyst Annabel Croft, who was commentating on the match, described Draper’s breakdown as “very upsetting.” She noted, “He’s bent over and literally erupting with emotion here. It’s very, very upsetting to see.” Croft speculated that the pain from Draper’s arm injury was the primary trigger for his tears, adding, “I can only assume that the arm is hurting. He couldn’t hold it in and he let it all out.” She reflected on the match’s turning point, observing that while Draper’s second set was strong, the third set saw a “massive drop‑off of pace on that serve,” and that he seemed reluctant to go for big serves or aggressive groundstrokes.
The broader ATP Tour also faced injury headlines, with Carlos Alcaraz withdrawing from the Cincinnati Open due to a lingering right‑wrist problem. Alcaraz’s absence fuels speculation about his readiness to defend his US Open title later in the month. Despite not having played competitively since April, Alcaraz remains world No.
2, illustrating how injuries can affect even the sport’s top players. For fans wishing to follow the National Bank Open—both the WTA event in Toronto and the ATP competition in Montreal—live coverage is available on Sky Sports, the NOW streaming service, or via the Sky Sports app.
As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Draper’s recovery, hoping that his arm will heal sufficiently for him to reclaim the form that once made him a serious contender for the sport’s biggest titles.