Jack Draper has been ruled out of the French Open due to a knee injury, marking another setback in his career following an eight-month layoff with an arm problem. The 24-year-old British tennis player aggravated a knee tendon during his first-round match at the Barcelona Open earlier this month, forcing him to retire.
Draper had hoped to recover in time for the second Grand Slam of the year, but has decided against competing on clay. In an Instagram post, he said: '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.'
The decision means Draper will focus on returning for the grass-court season. 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.'
Draper was ranked in the world's top four less than a year ago and seen as a potential Grand Slam contender. His absence continues a difficult season for British tennis, with Emma Raducanu also sidelined by illness and Sonay Kartal ruled out of the French Open with a back injury. Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter are the only Britons currently competing in singles at the Madrid Open.
