Jack Draper has pulled out of the Washington Open just a day after saying he felt “really, really good.” The Briton, who withdrew from Wimbledon after his persisting arm injury flared up, was set to make his return in Washington, DC after over a month out.
Recent Comeback Attempts
He had initially returned on the grass courts of Devonshire Park in Eastbourne under the watchful eye of new coach Sir Andy Murray, targeting a return to tennis’ top table at his home Grand Slam. The former world No4 reached the semi-finals at Eastbourne but was defeated by Ugo Humbert. He was then set to play Taylor Fritz in a mouth-watering first-round meeting at the All England Club, but Draper pulled out ahead of the tournament after another setback.
Injury Woes Since Last Year's US Open
The 24-year-old has been in and out of action since his withdrawal from last year’s US Open, where the initial arm injury, which he had been managing during his run to the second round at Wimbledon, proved too big of a problem. He has since struggled to truly get back to top form, falling to world No147, which leaves him beneath the cut-off point for a main-draw place at this year’s final major of the year.
Draper, who reached the last four at the US Open two years ago, has not played a single Grand Slam match in 2026, having pulled out of the Australian and French Opens as well as Wimbledon. He attempted comebacks in Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami, before injury took its toll once more at Barcelona, as he was forced to hand Tomas Martin Etcheverry a walkover on the clay.
Uncertainty Over US Open
Draper was hoping to return to the tour on the American acrylic, but yet another setback means he will be sweating over his US Open place. In the lead up to the Citi Open, where he was supposed to play world No44 Alex Michelsen in the opening round, the now-British No6 told reporters: “It was really difficult to miss Wimbledon, but it was the right decision. I've had an incredibly challenging 12 months, a lot of adversity, a lot of problem solving, a lot of pain, and trying to understand that and come through it. I've never had a long-term injury before so I feel much better than I ever have in the last year. I feel physically really good. I was actually saying to the guys that I feel emotionally and mentally, for a long time, like I've been quite tired because of the process, but I'm starting to get my energy back. To be honest, I feel really, really good, and I'm very proud of myself, the way I'm feeling.”
He added: “The injury I had in my arm, it's a very complex injury. There's a lot of different things to think about with a bone stress, especially in a sport where I need to hit my serve at 130 miles an hour. That's my weapon, I guess, my arm. So when that's causing me a lot of discomfort, it's hard to do what you want to do and to enjoy it as well. It's just problem solving in ways. How can I change things? How can I adjust my racquets, my equipment? How can I recover better? How can I just do everything I can to get better?”
