British tennis prospect Jack Draper has officially withdrawn from the US Open after doctors confirmed that a persistent bone bruise in his dominant left arm continues to hamper his performance. The decision follows two disappointing outings on American soil, during which the 24‑year‑old realized that his arm had not healed sufficiently to withstand the rigors of a Grand Slam event. Sources close to Draper say the young Briton opted to sit out the tournament in order to give his body the time it needs to recover fully. His withdrawal was announced just a few hours after world number one Jannik Sinner disclosed that he would also miss the US Open because of a knee injury.
Meanwhile, two‑time champion Carlos Alcaraz is preparing to return after a four‑month lay‑off caused by a wrist problem, underscoring how injury concerns dominate this year’s tennis calendar. The former world No.
4 has not competed in any of the four majors this season. After a first‑round loss to Spain’s Martin Landaluce at the Cincinnati Open, Draper admitted that he was in a "difficult place" mentally and physically. He explained to the Guardian that the usual fire and determination he brings to each point seemed to be fading, and that the combination of changing conditions and ongoing pain was taking a toll on his confidence. "It’s the same as last week – the way I usually fight for every ball and conduct myself on court is just missing," Draper told the newspaper.
"Obviously the conditions and everything I’m trying to adjust to are very hard to manage, and internally it feels like a very tough spot right now." Since Wimbledon, Draper has been experimenting with a range of equipment and technique tweaks to lessen the strain on his left arm. He has switched racket strings, altered the tension, and even modified his service motion in an attempt to reduce the load on the bruised area. Despite these efforts, he says the injury remains a constant obstacle.
"It has gotten to a point where it has taken away one of my biggest qualities – my fighting spirit," he said in a recent interview. "There is a chronic level of pain that never really leaves you. When it’s your playing arm, it’s devastating because tennis is my life, my career." Draper described the situation as a "horrible long‑term injury" that keeps resurfacing despite exhaustive attempts at rehabilitation. Former British No.
1 Annabel Croft, speaking with Sky Sports’ Gigi Salmon, characterized the atmosphere surrounding the sport as "doom and gloom" at the moment. She noted that the bone bruise had re‑emerged just when Draper was hoping to make a comeback, and that the decision to skip the US Open might be wise given the tournament’s demanding best‑of‑five‑set format. "A Grand Slam means potentially seven matches in a row, each of them five sets long. If you’re not fully fit, that’s brutal," Croft explained.
"He’s tried everything, but the injury keeps coming back. It’s probably a good call to step back, give his body a chance to heal, and avoid further damage." The US Open holds special significance for Draper, as he reached the semifinals there in 2023 and has since challenged many of the sport’s elite players. Croft expressed her sympathy for the young star, saying, "He’s fought the very best, and it’s sad to see him forced out of a tournament where he has already proven he can go deep." Former player‑turned‑coach Ryan Harrison weighed in on the broader context, highlighting how the modern tour’s physical demands make injury avoidance increasingly difficult.
He pointed out that the season now stretches across eleven months, culminating in the prestigious year‑end championships in November, which often decide the world No. 1 ranking.
Harrison noted that recent changes to court speeds and ball characteristics have slowed the game, leading to longer rallies and greater physical strain. "The courts are slower, the balls are slower, and points last longer. It’s not as friendly to big serves or quick points as it used to be," Harrison said.
"That means players have to endure more grueling, physical exchanges, which puts extra pressure on the body. Staying healthy is tougher now than it was 20 or 30 years ago when the surfaces favored aces and service winners." Croft also commented on the challenges of adjusting the tennis calendar to reduce injury risk. She noted that many tournaments are privately owned and heavily tied to sponsorship deals, making sweeping changes difficult. Nevertheless, she observed that the surfaces across the tour have become more homogenised, reducing the distinctiveness that once allowed players to rest certain muscles on slower courts and rely on faster ones elsewhere.
In summary, Jack Draper’s withdrawal from the US Open is a direct result of an ongoing bone bruise in his left arm, compounded by the physical and mental fatigue that has built up over more than a year of battling injuries. While he continues to explore equipment modifications and technique adjustments, the consensus among coaches, former players, and commentators is that a period of rest is essential for his long‑term health. The broader tennis community is also grappling with the implications of a longer, more physically demanding season, which may prompt discussions about calendar reform and surface diversity in the future.
Fans can still follow the rest of the US Open and other ATP and WTA events via Sky Sports, NOW, and the Sky Sports app, where live coverage, highlights, and expert analysis are available throughout the tournament period.