Jack Draper has been officially entered into 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’s aspirations of playing in 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 contest marked Draper’s first appearance on tour since June. He had been sidelined for nearly seven months after a recurrence of a bone bruise in his left arm, the same condition that forced him out of Wimbledon the previous year.
In the match against France’s Terence Atmane, Draper’s serve was noticeably hampered, a clear sign that his arm was still not at full strength. After falling behind 4‑1 in the third set, the Briton sat down on his chair and began to sob, eventually succumbing 6‑3, 2‑6, 6‑2. Former British No.
1 Annabel Croft, who was commentating for Sky Sports, described the scene as “very emotional” and noted that Draper seemed “bent over and literally erupting with emotion.” She added that it was “very, very upsetting to see” and that the breakdown occurred at a change of ends when he leaned forward. Croft emphasized that Draper is fully aware of the condition of his body and the extensive work he has put in to try to get back on court. Despite the visible distress, 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, set to begin on August 30, also requires a wildcard for entry into the main draw, and Draper’s participation remains uncertain.
In addition to the singles draw, Draper was scheduled to partner with American Jessica Pegula in mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows the week before Cincinnati. Pegula, speaking to reporters after the Montreal match, expressed concern for her partner’s health. “I know he’s been really struggling with injuries and today he had a very tough day,” she said. “We’re supposed to play, but obviously he’s not healthy, so we’ll see how that goes.” Pegula recalled their semi‑final run last year, praising Draper as “a really nice kid” and saying she hopes he can recover soon so they can compete together again.
If Draper is forced to withdraw from the US Open, it would mark the fourth consecutive Grand Slam he has missed due to injury. The first of those setbacks occurred after a second‑round loss 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 later that year but withdrew before his second‑round match, not returning to competition until February. After a promising start to his 2024 season, including a victory over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells, Draper altered his service motion in an effort to protect his arm. Unfortunately, the change placed additional strain on his knee, resulting in another prolonged absence. He made a brief return just before Wimbledon, playing a warm‑up event in Eastbourne where he reached the semi‑finals.
However, 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 explained the complexity of his injury. “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,” he said.
He described his situation as a “perfect storm” and expressed determination to push through once the storm passes, hoping to reach his goals and beyond. The Cincinnati Open will be a crucial test for Draper’s resilience and his ability to manage the lingering arm issue while competing at a high level. Observers will be watching closely to see whether he can adjust his service motion sufficiently to reduce strain, and whether his physical conditioning can withstand the rigors of a Masters 1000 tournament. For fans eager to follow Draper’s progress, the tournament will be available live on Sky Sports, with streaming options through NOW and the Sky Sports app.
The broader tennis calendar, including the US Open and the mixed‑doubles event with Pegula, will continue to hinge on his recovery timeline. Regardless of the outcome, Draper’s determination to return to the top tier of the sport, despite a series of setbacks, underscores his commitment and the high expectations placed on the young Briton as he strives to fulfill his potential on the ATP tour.