Jack Draper Withdraws from Queen’s Club ATP Tournament
In a significant setback for British tennis, Jack Draper has announced his withdrawal from next week’s ATP tournament at Queen’s Club, choosing to postpone his return from a knee injury. The 24-year-old has been sidelined from competitive play since he had to retire during the Barcelona claycourt event back in April.
Injury Challenges and Comeback Plans
Draper, currently positioned as Britain’s number three player, has been struggling with various injury issues over the past year, which have hampered his performance and led him to contest a mere eight Tour-level matches this season. As a result, he has seen a decline in his ATP rankings, having slipped out of the top 100.
Previous Performance at Queen’s
Reflecting on his last appearance at Queen’s, Draper reached the semi-finals, and his absence this time is a notable loss for the tournament, which is already missing several prominent competitors, including 2025 champion Carlos Alcaraz. In a recent statement, Draper expressed his disappointment: “It’s very hard to miss one of my favourite events of the year,” underlining his connection to the tournament.
Focused on Recovery for Wimbledon
The former world number four indicated that while he is making progress in his recovery, he feels it is wise to take an additional week to ensure a complete return. “Recovery is going in the right direction, but I’m going to give myself one more week and aim to return at Eastbourne,” he stated, setting his sights on being fit for Wimbledon.
Coaching Team Adjustment
In the midst of these challenges, Draper has also made a notable addition to his support team, bringing on board two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. This partnership could potentially enhance Draper’s preparation as he navigates his comeback journey towards regaining form on the ATP Tour.
