Jack Draper has been officially entered into next week’s Cincinnati Open, even though his recent loss at the National Bank Open in Montreal left him visibly upset and in tears. The 24‑year‑old Brit’s aspirations of featuring at the US Open were thrown into doubt after his latest attempt to return from injury saw him break down emotionally on court. The Montreal match marked Draper’s first competitive appearance since June, when a recurrence of the bone bruising that had sidelined him for nearly seven months forced him out of action. In the encounter against France’s Terence Atmane, Draper appeared uncomfortable, his serve noticeably compromised.
After falling behind 4‑1 in the third set, he slumped into his chair and began sobbing, eventually succumbing 6‑3, 2‑6, 6‑2. Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, commentating for Sky Sports, described the scene as "very emotional" and said Draper seemed to be "bent over and just literally erupting with emotion". She added that it was "very, very upsetting to see" and noted that the outburst occurred at a change of ends when he leaned forward.
Croft also pointed out that Draper is acutely aware of the condition of his body and the extensive rehabilitation work he has undertaken in an effort to get back on court. Despite the recent drama, the British player has been handed a wild‑card entry into the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. The US Open, scheduled to start on August 30, would also require a wild‑card for Draper to enter the main draw.
In addition to his singles commitments, Draper was slated to team up with American star Jessica Pegula in mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows the week before the US Open. However, Pegula admitted that his recent injury struggles have cast doubt over their participation. "I know he's been really struggling with some injuries and today he had a very tough day," Pegula told reporters.
"We’re supposed to play, but obviously he’s not healthy, so we’ll see how that goes." Pegula reflected on their partnership from the previous year, when the pair reached the mixed‑doubles semi‑finals. "I’ve been a big fan of Jack since then, and it’s been fun watching him. He’s a really nice kid, so I enjoy playing with him.
I hope he gets healthy and we can see him back out there," she said. If Draper cannot compete in New York, it would mark the fourth consecutive Grand Slam he has missed due to injury.
His difficulties first emerged after a second‑round defeat 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 and did not return to competition until February. After showing promising form, including a headline‑grabbing victory over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells, Draper altered his service motion in an effort to protect his arm. The change, however, led to a knee injury that kept him sidelined for another extended period.
He made a brief return just before Wimbledon, playing a warm‑up event in Eastbourne where he reached the semi‑finals. Yet, on the eve of his home Grand Slam, he announced that his arm had flared up again, forcing him to withdraw. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his Montreal match, Draper explained the complexity of his condition: "It’s important for people to recognize that the injury I have is very complex, it’s very complicated, and everyone around me is doing everything we can to help keep this 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 resilience and his ability to manage his arm while competing at a high level. A successful showing could bolster his case for a US Open wild‑card and restore confidence in his capacity to stay healthy throughout the hard‑court season.
Fans can follow the ATP and WTA tours, as well as the US Open, from August 30 onward via Sky Sports or the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app. The upcoming weeks will be pivotal for Draper as he strives to overcome a series of setbacks and re‑establish himself among the sport’s rising talents.