Jack Draper has appealed to his followers to exercise patience as he works his way back onto the court after being forced to withdraw from the DC Open due to an arm problem. The 23‑year‑old, who previously held the world No. 4 spot, missed all three Grand Slam events in 2026, but a wildcard entry has secured him a place at the National Bank Open in Montreal. This tournament serves as a stepping stone toward the US Open qualifying rounds, especially important now that his ranking has slipped to No.
147. The Briton’s first match back is set against French competitor Terrance Atmane and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. Originally slated for Monday, the encounter was pushed to Tuesday evening after rain disrupted the schedule in Montreal. Draper, who trains under the guidance of Sir Andy Murray, has two more events lined up before he heads to New York for the US Open qualifiers.
He told Sky Sports News that his rehabilitation is nearing its final stages after a year riddled with setbacks that limited him to just five tour appearances over the previous eight months. "Having Sir Andy on my team has been a massive advantage," Draper explained. "He’s endured a great deal of adversity in his own career, so his perspective is invaluable." He emphasized that the nature of his injury is intricate and cannot be resolved by simply resting. "It’s not as straightforward as ‘rest, heal, and you’ll be fine.’ The situation is quite complex, and everyone around me is doing everything possible to keep the recovery moving forward." Outside of tennis, Draper reported that he feels he is doing "amazingly well," and that his on‑court performance is also improving.
"I’m at a point where I’m confident I’ll get through this period," he said. "It will take time, but I’m following the right plan and the support network around me is fantastic." Even though his ranking has dropped dramatically—down 143 spots over the past year—Draper remains optimistic about his ability to return to full strength and climb back up the ladder.
"I’m in the best place I’ve been in the last twelve months," he noted. "The process is really a game of patience. It’s about finding the right training load, the right intensity, and giving both on‑court and off‑court work the time to mesh together." He added that he feels he is making tangible progress and believes the breakthrough moment is imminent.
"I’m able to train and stay on the court more consistently now. I’m getting closer to that point, and I think that moment is now," Draper said.
"That’s why it’s been tough to commit to tournaments only to withdraw at the last minute, but those decisions are made with a long‑term career in mind. I need to test myself to understand where I stand." Describing his recent challenges as a "perfect storm," Draper reflected on the confluence of injuries, ranking loss, and limited playing opportunities. "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," he affirmed.
Fans can follow Draper’s journey as he competes at the National Bank Open and later at the US Open, which begins on August 30. Sky Sports will provide live coverage, and subscribers can also stream matches via NOW or the Sky Sports app, offering over 50 percent more live sport this year at no extra charge. In summary, Jack Draper’s message to his supporters is clear: patience and understanding are essential as he navigates a complex recovery.
With Sir Andy Murray’s mentorship, a carefully managed training regimen, and a supportive team, Draper is poised to re‑establish himself on the ATP Tour. The upcoming matches in Montreal will serve as the first real test of his fitness after a tumultuous year, and his determination suggests that, despite the setbacks, a strong comeback is on the horizon.