British tennis player Jack Draper has provided an update on his fitness, confirming his withdrawal from two major ATP tournaments while expressing confidence in his readiness for the upcoming French Open. The British number two is currently managing a tendon injury in his right knee, which has forced him to pull out of the Madrid Open this week and the Italian Open next month.
Injury Details and Tournament Withdrawals
Draper retired from his first-round match at the Barcelona Open last Monday against Tomas Martin Etcheverry due to discomfort in his right knee. In a recent statement, the 24-year-old explained, "An aggravated tendon in my knee means I am not able to play in Madrid and Rome." He acknowledged the frustration of missing these events but emphasized that the injury is not severe, with recovery progressing positively.
Targeting Roland Garros
Despite the setbacks, Draper is targeting a return at the French Open, the year's second Grand Slam, which begins later in May at Roland Garros. "I am thankful it isn’t anything more serious, recovery is going well and I feel good about my chances of being fit for Roland Garros," he said. Draper added that he looks forward to building momentum from there, indicating his focus on a strong comeback.
Recent Challenges and Comeback
Draper has faced significant challenges over the past year. After a breakout triumph at Indian Wells in 2025, he missed nearly eight months due to an issue with his left arm. His title defence in California last month was only his second ATP tournament since returning, where he impressively defeated Novak Djokovic in the last 16 before losing to Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals.
Context of Madrid Open Withdrawals
The Madrid Open has seen other high-profile withdrawals, with Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic also pulling out. Draper lost the 2025 final in Madrid to Casper Ruud, making his absence from this year's event particularly notable. His withdrawal adds to the list of players managing injuries ahead of the clay-court season.
As Draper continues his recovery, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if he can regain form in time for the French Open, where his performance could be a key indicator of his trajectory in the 2026 season.
