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 at the upcoming US Open were thrown into doubt when his latest attempt to return from injury saw him break down emotionally during the match. The Montreal encounter was Draper’s first competitive outing since June, following a relapse of the bone bruising that had sidelined him for almost seven months. The lingering discomfort was evident from the start, as his serve faltered against France’s Terence Atmane.
After falling behind 4‑1 in the third set, Draper sank 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 "pretty emotional," noting that Draper seemed to be "bent over and literally erupting with emotion".
She added that the sight was "very, very upsetting" and that the breakdown occurred at a change of ends when he leaned forward and began to cry. Croft emphasized that Draper is fully aware of his physical condition and the extensive work he has put into his rehabilitation. "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.
Despite the recent setback, the British player has been granted a wildcard into the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. The US Open, which begins on August 30, also requires a wildcard for Draper to enter the main draw, and his participation remains uncertain. In addition to his singles commitments, Draper was scheduled to compete in mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows alongside American star Jessica Pegula.
Pegula, speaking to reporters in Canada, acknowledged Draper’s ongoing injury struggles and expressed concern about their partnership. "I know 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 said.
Pegula recalled their successful run to the semifinals last year and praised Draper’s character. "I’ve always since then been a very big fan, and it’s been fun to watch him. 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," she added.
If Draper cannot compete in New York, it would mark the fourth consecutive Grand Slam he has missed due to injury. His troubles began 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 a promising start to his comeback, highlighted by a victory over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells, Draper altered his service motion in an effort to protect his arm. The adjustment, however, led to a knee injury that kept him sidelined for an extended period. He made another return just before Wimbledon, playing in Eastbourne where he reached the semifinals.
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 the Montreal tournament, Draper explained 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," he said. The Cincinnati Open will provide Draper with a crucial opportunity to test his recovery against top‑level competition ahead of the US Open. While his physical readiness remains a question, his determination to fight through adversity has earned him admiration from fans and fellow players alike.
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. The tennis community will be watching closely to see whether Draper can overcome his injury woes and make a successful return to the sport’s biggest stages.