Jack Draper has been officially entered into next week’s Cincinnati Open, even though he left the court in tears after a painful loss at the National Bank Open in Montreal. The 24‑year‑old Brit’s aspirations of playing the upcoming US Open were thrown into doubt when he broke down emotionally during his comeback match, highlighting the ongoing struggle with a lingering arm problem. The Montreal encounter marked Draper’s first competitive appearance since June, after a prolonged absence caused by a recurrence of the bone bruising that had sidelined him for almost seven months. The injury, which originally forced him out of the tour in the latter stages of the 2023 season, has proven to be a stubborn obstacle, resurfacing at the most inopportune moments.
During the match against French qualifier Terence Atmane, Draper’s serve appeared noticeably compromised. After falling behind 4‑1 in the third set, the young player sat down on his chair and began to weep, eventually succumbing 6‑3, 2‑6, 6‑2.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, commenting for Sky Sports, described the scene as "very emotional" and "upsetting," noting that Draper seemed to be overwhelmed by the physical pain and the frustration of yet another setback. Croft added that Draper is acutely aware of the condition inside his body and the extensive rehabilitation work he has undertaken. "He knows what's going on inside his body, and he knows the work he's done to try and get back on court," she said, underscoring the mental resilience required to keep fighting.
Despite the emotional turmoil, the ATP has awarded Draper a wildcard for the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. The US Open, scheduled to begin on August 30, also requires a wildcard for Draper to enter the main draw, adding another layer of uncertainty to his summer campaign. In addition to his singles schedule, Draper was slated to partner with American star Jessica Pegula in the mixed doubles draw at Flushing Meadows the week before the US Open. Pegula, speaking to reporters in Canada, expressed concern for Draper’s health: "I know that he's been really struggling a bit with some injuries and I saw today he had a really tough day with his match.
We're supposed to play. Obviously I know he's not healthy, so we'll see how that goes." She recalled their successful run to the semi‑finals last year and praised Draper’s character, saying, "He's a really nice kid, so I enjoy playing with him. Hoping that he can just get healthy and we can see him back out there." If Draper is forced to withdraw from the New York event, 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 in 2023, when a bone bruise in his left arm forced him off the tour. He attempted a return at the US Open later that year but pulled out before his second‑round match, not competing again until February 2024.
When Draper finally returned, he showed promising signs, including a stunning victory over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells. However, a modification to his service motion—intended to protect his arm—led to a knee injury that kept him sidelined for another extended period. He made a brief comeback ahead of Wimbledon, reaching the semi‑finals in Eastbourne, only to announce on the eve of his home Grand Slam that his arm had flared up again, ruling him out of the tournament.
Speaking to Sky Sports before 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 therefore serve as a crucial test of Draper’s physical readiness and mental fortitude. A strong performance could boost his confidence ahead of the US Open and potentially secure him a direct entry without needing a wildcard. Conversely, any sign of aggravation could force him to reconsider his schedule and focus on long‑term recovery.
Fans can follow Draper’s progress via Sky Sports or stream the action through NOW and the Sky Sports app, which offer expanded live coverage for subscribers. The broader tennis community remains hopeful that the young Brit will overcome his injury woes and re‑establish himself as a rising star on the ATP Tour. The coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether Draper can translate his talent into consistent results despite the physical challenges that have plagued his career thus far.