Britain's top-ranked male tennis player, Jack Draper, has suffered a devastating start to the 2026 season, withdrawing from the Australian Open before a ball has even been struck.
A Painful and Complex Setback
The 24-year-old confirmed the news, stating it was a "really tough decision" to miss one of the sport's premier events. His last competitive match was at the US Open in August, where he withdrew before his second-round encounter. The culprit is a persistent issue with bone bruising in his left humerus, an injury he has carried for a long time.
"I'm at the very, very end stages of the process," Draper explained, "and to step back on court into best of five set tennis so soon just doesn't seem like a smart decision." He described this as the most difficult, challenging, and complex setback of his career so far, but vowed it would make him more resilient and hungry.
From Peak to Problems
This injury represents a cruel halt to Draper's remarkable ascent. In April, he was the rising force in men's tennis, having just reached the final in Madrid and risen to a career-high world No5. A month earlier, he claimed the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in a performance that left the Spaniard wary.
Unbeknownst to most, the bone bruise was already developing. It hampered his grass-court season and was evident during a laboured first-round win at the US Open. After ending his 2025 season early to recover, hopes were pinned on a December exhibition return. His withdrawal from that event sounded alarm bells, culminating in the Boxing Day confirmation he would miss Melbourne.
The Ongoing Battle for Fitness
Draper's career has been persistently disrupted by physical problems, including a serious shoulder issue in 2023 and hip pain last year. In October, he appeared to criticise the gruelling tennis calendar, suggesting it must adapt for players to achieve longevity.
While the schedule is a universal challenge, Draper has endured more than his share. Some observers question whether his powerful, hulking frame makes him more susceptible to injury in a modern game favouring lighter, more flexible athletes. Others might note his decision to change his fitness team this year, though his new recruits are highly respected former allies of Andy Murray.
Ultimately, for British tennis fans, the fear is that Draper's undoubted world-class talent will be perpetually undermined by his body. At 24, time remains on his side, but his path back to challenging the likes of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner is once again on hold.
