Jack Draper has been forced to withdraw from the French Open after aggravating a knee tendon injury, marking another setback in his comeback from a lengthy arm problem.
Injury Woes Continue for Former British Number One
The 24-year-old, who was ranked as high as world number four less than a year ago, has struggled to regain his form after an eight-month layoff due to a serious arm injury. Since returning in February, Draper has played only nine matches across five tournaments, and his latest issue emerged during a first-round match against Tomas Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open earlier this month, where he retired due to knee pain.
Initially hoping to recover in time for the second Grand Slam of the year, Draper has now decided against competing at Roland Garros. In a statement on his Instagram story, he explained: "My knee is on the mend and I've started back hitting balls but unfortunately I have been advised not to play Roland Garros. As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five set tennis on clay."
He added: "Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I've been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!"
Impact on Rankings and British Tennis
Draper's absence from the French Open means he will almost certainly drop out of the top 100 in the world rankings. His withdrawal follows that of Carlos Alcaraz, who is also missing the tournament, but it is a particularly bitter blow for Draper, who was once seen as a potential Grand Slam contender alongside the likes of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The news adds to a challenging season for British tennis. Emma Raducanu remains sidelined with post-viral symptoms after an illness in early February, while Sonay Kartal has already ruled herself out of the French Open with a back injury sustained at the Miami Open. Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley have also been struggling with fitness issues.
At the ongoing Madrid Open, Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter were the only British singles players, and the same may be true for the Italian Open in Rome next week. Raducanu is back in training and could make a decision on playing in Rome later this week.
Potential Return on Grass
Draper's focus now shifts to the grass-court season, where he has previously enjoyed success. He won his first ATP title in Stuttgart in 2024, and that tournament, beginning on June 8, could be his return venue. The HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in London follows the week after, providing further opportunities for the 24-year-old to rebuild his career.
