British tennis talent Jack Draper has confirmed that he will not take part in the upcoming US Open, as he continues to grapple with a painful bone bruise affecting his dominant left arm. The decision follows two disappointing outings on American soil, after which Draper and his close advisers concluded that he requires additional time to recover fully before returning to the rigors of Grand Slam competition.
The announcement arrived just a few hours after world number one Jannik Sinner disclosed that he would miss the tournament because of a knee problem, and it coincided with news that Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is preparing to stage a comeback after a four‑month lay‑off for a wrist injury. The timing underscores how injury setbacks are currently shaping the landscape of men’s tennis. Draper, a former world No. 4 who has not featured in any of the four majors this season, described his situation as "a difficult place" after a first‑round loss to Martin Landaluce at the Cincinnati Open last week.
He admitted that the mental fatigue accumulated over 15 months of battling serious physical issues has taken a toll on his confidence and competitive fire. Speaking to The Guardian, Draper 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 trying to change are very hard to manage, and internally it feels like a very tough spot right now." In an effort to lessen the strain on his left arm, the 24‑year‑old has implemented a series of technical adjustments since Wimbledon. He has experimented with different string tensions and even switched rackets, while also tweaking his service motion to reduce the load on the bruised area. Despite these modifications, Draper confessed that managing the injury remains a constant battle. "It’s gotten to a point where it has taken away one of my biggest qualities – my fighting spirit," he explained.
"There’s a chronic pain that never really goes away. When it’s your playing arm, it’s your life, it’s your career.
An injury that’s hard to overcome brings a host of challenges and obstacles." Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, speaking with Gigi Salmon on Sky Sports Tennis, painted a bleak picture of the current state of the sport. She noted, "Maybe we weren’t so surprised.
We saw the eruption of emotion a few events ago. The bone bruising in his arm just wasn’t going away – it kept resurfacing.
He’s tried everything, but it keeps coming back, so perhaps this is a wise decision. A Grand Slam demands best‑of‑five sets, which is brutally demanding." Croft added, "It’s seven matches back‑to‑back, and they’ve decided he’s not ready for that. He needs to step away and find a way to fix his body.
It’s been very emotional for him because he wants to compete. The US Open is a tournament where he reached the semi‑finals and challenged the very best, so I feel very sad for him." Former player‑turned‑coach Ryan Harrison echoed the sentiment, highlighting how the modern tour’s calendar and playing conditions exacerbate injury risks. "It’s 11 months of nonstop tennis.
The year‑end championship in November carries huge prestige and a chance to finish as world No. 1. Last year we saw a tight race between Sinner and Alcaraz. The courts and balls have slowed down, making big serves less effective and rallies longer, which puts extra physical strain on players." Harrison continued, "Staying healthy now is even harder than 20 or 30 years ago when surfaces favored quick points and aces.
The tour’s physical demands are relentless, and while we love epic matches, the body pays the price." Croft also pointed out structural issues within the sport: "Changing the calendar is difficult because many tournaments are individually owned and tied to sponsorship deals. It’s hard to take that away. It does feel like the surfaces have become more homogenised, losing distinct characteristics. Many players would like to see the courts sped up again." In summary, Draper’s withdrawal highlights a broader narrative of injury‑related challenges facing top players this season.
With Sinner also sidelined, Alcaraz on the mend, and several other contenders nursing various ailments, the US Open field will be markedly altered. The situation raises questions about the sustainability of the current tour schedule, the physical toll of longer rallies on slower courts, and the need for players to adapt their equipment and technique to protect vulnerable body parts.
Fans can still follow the tournament through Sky Sports, which will broadcast the US Open from August 30, and stream matches via NOW and the Sky Sports app. Meanwhile, Draper will focus on rehabilitation, hoping to return stronger and healthier for the next season, while the tennis community continues to debate how best to balance the sport’s excitement with player wellbeing.