British tennis prospect Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not take part in this year’s US Open after the lingering bone bruise in his dominant left arm forced him to withdraw. The 24‑year‑old, who has been struggling with the injury for more than a year, decided that a longer recovery period was essential, according to people close to his camp. The announcement arrived just a few hours after world number one Jannik Sinner revealed he would also sit out the tournament because of a knee problem, while Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is preparing to return after a four‑month spell on the sidelines with a wrist injury.
The timing underscores a wave of high‑profile absences that have already cast a shadow over the New York event. Draper, a former world No. 4 who has not featured in any Grand Slam this season, described his situation as "a difficult place" following a first‑round loss to Martin Landaluce at the Cincinnati Open.
He admitted that the mental fatigue accumulated over 15 months of battling serious injury had taken a toll on his confidence and his ability to fight for every point. In an interview with The Guardian he said, "It’s the same as last week – the way I’m usually able to fight for every ball and conduct myself is just missing. The conditions and all the things I’m changing are very hard to manage, and internally it feels like a very tough spot right now." Since Wimbledon, Draper has been experimenting with a series of adjustments aimed at reducing the strain on his left arm. He has altered his string tension, switched rackets and tweaked his service motion in an effort to lessen the load on the bruised area.
Despite these changes, he confessed that the injury continues to sap one of his greatest assets – his fighting spirit. "There’s a level of chronic pain that’s always with you," he explained. "When it’s on your playing arm – this is my life, this is my career – it becomes a constant obstacle.
The injury is hard to overcome and even harder to understand, creating a cascade of challenges." Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, speaking to Sky Sports’ Gigi Salmon, described the current atmosphere around the sport as "doom and gloom." She noted that the bone bruising in Draper’s arm had resurfaced despite his attempts to manage it, and suggested that skipping the US Open might be a prudent decision. "A Grand Slam is best‑of‑five sets, seven matches in a row – it’s brutal," Croft said. "He’s tried everything, but the injury keeps coming back.
It’s emotional for him because he wants to compete, but the reality is that he’s not ready for that level of demand right now." Former player‑turned‑coach Ryan Harrison added his perspective on the broader physical demands of the modern tour. He pointed out that the calendar now stretches over 11 months, with the year‑end championships in November offering a huge incentive to finish the season as world No. 1.
"The courts are slower, the balls are slower, rallies are longer and more physically taxing," Harrison explained. "It’s harder to stay healthy now than it was 20 or 30 years ago when the surfaces favored big serves and quick points.
The body pays the price for these epic matches." Croft also highlighted structural issues within the tennis calendar, noting that many tournaments are owned by separate entities and tied to sponsorship deals, making sweeping changes difficult. She observed that the surfaces have become more homogenised, reducing the distinct characteristics that once defined each event.
"Players would love to see the courts quickened up again," she said, implying that a return to more varied playing conditions could help mitigate injury risk. In summary, Jack Draper’s withdrawal from the US Open reflects a confluence of personal health challenges and the evolving physical demands of the sport. While his absence is a disappointment for fans who recall his impressive run to the semi‑finals at the same tournament a few years ago, it also serves as a reminder of how grueling the modern tennis calendar can be.
The British star will now focus on a comprehensive rehabilitation program, hoping to return stronger and healthier for the next season. The tennis world will be watching closely, eager to see when Draper can once again showcase his talent on the biggest stages without the shadow of a persistent arm injury.