Jack Draper has been confirmed as a participant in next week’s Cincinnati Open, even though he left the court in tears after a loss at the National Bank Open in Montreal. The 24‑year‑old British player’s hopes of featuring at the US Open appeared shaky after his latest attempt to return from injury saw him break down emotionally during the match.
Draper was playing his first competitive match since June when he faced France’s Terence Atmane in Canada. He had been battling a recurrence of the bone bruising in his left arm that had sidelined him for nearly seven months earlier in the season. The lingering pain was evident as his serve faltered, and after falling behind 4‑1 in the third set, Draper slumped into his chair and began sobbing.
He ultimately succumbed 6‑3, 2‑6, 6‑2. Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, commenting for Sky Sports, described the scene as “very emotional.” She noted that Draper was visibly bent over, “literally erupting with emotion,” and that the moment occurred at a change of ends when he leaned forward and broke down. Croft added that Draper is fully aware of the condition of his body and the extensive work he has put into trying to get back on court.
Despite the visible distress, the Brit has been awarded a wildcard for the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. The US Open, beginning on August 30, also requires a wildcard for entry into the main draw, and Draper’s participation remains uncertain. In addition to his singles schedule, Draper was slated to compete in mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows the week before the US Open, partnering with American player Jessica Pegula.
Pegula told reporters in Canada that Draper has been “struggling a bit with some injuries” and that she observed his “tough day” on the court. She expressed concern about his health, saying, “We’re supposed to play. Obviously I know he’s not healthy, so we’ll see how that goes.” Pegula and Draper reached the mixed‑doubles semifinals together last year, and she praised him as a “nice kid” and a “big fan” of his game, hoping he can recover fully and return to competition. If Draper cannot compete in New York, it would mark the fourth consecutive Grand Slam he has missed due to injury.
His injury saga began after a second‑round exit at Wimbledon last year, when a bone bruise in his left arm forced him off the tour. He attempted a comeback at the US Open but withdrew before his second‑round match, not returning to competition until February.
After a promising start to his 2024 season, which included a victory over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells, Draper altered his service motion in an effort to protect his arm. That adjustment, however, led to a knee injury that kept him sidelined for an extended period. He made a brief return just before Wimbledon, playing in Eastbourne where he reached the semifinals.
Yet, on the eve of Wimbledon, he announced that his arm had flared up again, forcing him to miss his home Grand Slam. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his Montreal match, Draper emphasized the complexity of his condition: “It’s important for people to recognise that the injury I have is very complex, it’s very complicated, and everyone around me is doing everything we can to help this keep moving along. It really has been a perfect storm for me in a lot of ways. When I do get out of this storm, I’m going to be pushing on to hopefully get to where I want to be and beyond.” The Cincinnati Open will provide Draper with a crucial opportunity to test his arm against top‑level competition ahead of the US Open.
While his physical readiness remains a question, his determination to compete reflects his desire to overcome the setbacks that have plagued his career. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether he can regain his form and confidence on the hard courts of the United States.
For viewers, the tournament and the US Open will be available live on Sky Sports, with streaming options through NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering subscribers access to more than half again as much live sport at no additional cost.