Jack Draper has been confirmed as a participant in next week’s Cincinnati Open, even though he left the court in tears after a disappointing loss at the National Bank Open in Montreal. The 24‑year‑old British player’s prospects of appearing at the US Open appeared shaky after his latest attempt to return from injury saw him break down emotionally in the middle of a match.
The Montreal encounter marked Draper’s first competitive outing since June, when a recurrence of a bone bruise in his left arm forced him out of the tour for nearly seven months. The injury, which first emerged after a second‑round defeat at Wimbledon the previous year, has been a persistent obstacle in his young career. In Montreal, Draper’s serve was noticeably compromised as he faced French qualifier Terence Atmane. After falling behind 4‑1 in the third set, he slumped into his chair and began sobbing, ultimately succumbing 6‑3, 2‑6, 6‑2.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, commentating for Sky Sports, described the scene as "very emotional," noting that Draper seemed to be "bent over and literally erupting with emotion" as he struggled to cope with the pain and frustration of his body’s limitations. Croft added that Draper is acutely aware of the condition inside his arm and the extensive rehabilitation work he has undertaken to get back on court.
Despite the visible distress, tournament officials have awarded Draper a wild‑card entry into the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. The US Open, slated to begin on August 30, also requires a wild‑card for Draper to enter the main draw, and his participation remains uncertain.
In addition to his singles commitments, Draper was scheduled to play mixed doubles at the US Open the week before, partnering with American star Jessica Pegula. Pegula, speaking to reporters in Canada, expressed concern for Draper’s health, saying, "I know he’s been really struggling with some injuries and today he had a very tough day on court.
We’re supposed to play, but obviously he’s not healthy, so we’ll see how that goes." The pair reached the semi‑finals of the mixed‑doubles event last year, and Pegula praised Draper’s character, calling him "a really nice kid" and a "big fan" of his talent. If Draper is forced to withdraw from New York, it would mark the fourth consecutive Grand Slam he has missed due to injury. His injury saga began after a promising run to the US Open semi‑finals the previous season, only to be derailed by a bone bruise in his left arm during Wimbledon’s second round. He attempted a comeback at the US Open later that year but pulled out before his second‑round match and did not compete again until February.
A brief resurgence came at Indian Wells, where Draper stunned Novak Djokovic, suggesting a potential return to form. However, a modification to his service motion—intended to protect his arm—resulted in a knee injury that sidelined him for an extended period. He returned to competitive play just before Wimbledon at the Eastbourne International, where he displayed strong form and reached the semi‑finals. Yet, on the eve of Wimbledon, he announced that his arm had flared up again, forcing him to withdraw from his home Grand Slam.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Montreal tournament, Draper emphasized the complexity of his condition, stating, "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 be a crucial test of Draper’s resilience and his ability to manage the lingering arm issue while competing at a high level. A successful showing could boost his confidence ahead of the US Open and potentially secure him a direct entry without the need for a wild‑card.
Conversely, another setback could further delay his return to the top tier of the ATP rankings. Fans can follow the tournament live on Sky Sports or stream via NOW and the Sky Sports app. The upcoming weeks will reveal whether Draper can translate his talent and determination into tangible results despite the physical challenges that have shadowed his promising career.