Jack Draper has officially confirmed his participation in 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 British talent’s hopes of playing the US Open appeared shaky after his most recent attempt at a comeback saw him break down emotionally during the match. In Montreal, Draper was playing his first competitive match since June, having endured a recurrence of the bone bruising in his left arm that forced him out of the tour for nearly seven months.
The injury has been a persistent thorn in his side, and the Montreal defeat only amplified the uncertainty surrounding his schedule for the rest of the summer. During the encounter with France’s Terence Atmane, Draper’s discomfort was evident. His serve, normally a weapon, was noticeably hampered, and after falling behind 4‑1 in the third set, he sat down on his chair and began to sob. The emotional outburst culminated in a 6‑3, 2‑6, 6‑2 loss.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, commenting for Sky Sports, described the scene as “very, very upsetting,” noting that Draper seemed to be “bent over and just literally erupting with emotion.” Croft added that Draper is acutely aware of the condition of his body and the extensive work he has put in to try to return to full fitness. Despite the drama in Canada, Draper has received a wildcard entry to 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 wildcard for Draper to enter the main draw, adding another layer of complexity to his summer plans. In addition to his singles commitments, Draper was slated to partner with American player Jessica Pegula in the mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows the week before the US Open.
However, Pegula expressed concerns after witnessing Draper’s struggle in Montreal. She told reporters, “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.” Pegula recalled their semi‑final run together last year and praised Draper’s character, saying, “He’s a really nice kid, so I enjoy playing with him.
I’m hoping he can just get healthy and we can see him back out there.” If Draper cannot compete in New York, it would mark the fourth consecutive Grand Slam he has missed due to injury. The first sign of trouble emerged after a second‑round loss at Wimbledon last year, when the former US Open semi‑finalist was forced to withdraw from the tour because of a bone bruise in his left arm.
He attempted a return at the US Open but pulled out before his second‑round match, not playing again until February. Early signs of recovery were promising; Draper even secured a victory over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells. However, a change in his service motion—intended to protect his arm—led to a knee injury that sidelined him for another extended period.
He made a brief comeback just before Wimbledon, competing in Eastbourne where he reached the semi‑finals, only to announce on the eve of his home Grand Slam that his arm had flared up again, forcing him to withdraw. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Montreal tournament, 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 be a crucial test of Draper’s resilience and his ability to manage the lingering arm issue while competing at a high level.
A strong showing could bolster his case for a US Open wildcard and revive his momentum heading into the final Grand Slam of the year. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the young Brit can translate his talent into results despite the physical setbacks that have plagued his career. For those wanting to follow the action, the ATP and WTA tours, as well as the US Open, will be available live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options through NOW and the Sky Sports app.