British number one Jack Draper has announced he will miss next month’s Australian Open, citing an ongoing arm injury that has kept him sidelined since Wimbledon. The 24-year-old, ranked 10th in the world, has played only one competitive match since July due to bone bruising in his left arm.
In a video posted on X on Boxing Day, Draper said it was a tough decision but that returning to best-of-five-set tennis so soon was not a smart choice for him and his team. The injury flared up during the US Open in August, forcing him to withdraw from his second-round match before ending his season shortly after.
Draper had planned to return at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown grand final in London earlier this month but opted to take more recovery time on medical advice. He is now expected to target a comeback in February, ahead of the defence of his Indian Wells title in early March.
Describing the setback as the most difficult and complex of his career, Draper said it had made him more resilient and determined to reach his goals. He expressed hope to return to competition in 2026, though it remains unclear if that was a slip of the tongue or a delayed timeline.
