Britain's top-ranked male tennis player, Jack Draper, has been forced to withdraw from this weekend's Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) exhibition event in London. The 23-year-old is continuing to manage a troublesome arm injury, which has now delayed his planned return to competitive action.
Frustrating Setback for British Number One
Draper confirmed his withdrawal in a social media post, expressing his disappointment at missing the three-day event scheduled for the Copper Box Arena. "I've been working hard to get ready for the UTS but frustratingly I'm just not quite ready," Draper stated. He described the decision as a "tough call" but explained he had been advised to take more recovery time, apologising to fans who had hoped to see him play.
The world number ten has played only one singles match since his second-round exit at Wimbledon this summer. His competitive activity was further halted after the US Open due to a diagnosis of bone bruising in his left arm, specifically in his upper serving arm. This issue had been causing him discomfort throughout the clay-court season earlier in the year.
A Season Disrupted by Injury
Following his Wimbledon defeat to Marin Cilic, a scan revealed the painful bone bruising. Medical advice initially suggested an eight to nine-week recovery period post-Wimbledon. Despite experiencing ongoing pain, a subsequent scan before the US Open was reported as clear, which Draper later suggested may have given him "false hope".
He opted to compete at Flushing Meadows, winning his opening singles match and participating in the mixed doubles with Jessica Pegula. However, he withdrew before the second round of the singles and ultimately made the decision to end his season early to allow for complete healing. Draper reflected to The Independent in November, stating he didn't regret playing but acknowledged the challenge of pushing on with an injury during a period where he was in a "good place" with his ranking and form.
Looking Ahead to 2024
Despite a severely limited second half of the season, Draper's stellar first-half performances—which included reaching two Masters 1000 finals and clinching his maiden title at that level in Indian Wells—ensured he finished the year inside the world's top 10. Tournament founder Patrick Mouratoglou had offered him a wildcard for the fast-paced UTS format, which features matches of four eight-minute quarters.
Draper's focus is now on a full recovery ahead of the new season. His scheduled return to the tour is set for the United Cup, the mixed-gender team event in Perth, in early January. This should provide preparation time before the season's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, begins in Melbourne on 18 January.
