In a devastating blow to British tennis hopes, Jack Draper has been forced to withdraw from the US Open 2025 mere hours before he was scheduled to step onto the court for his first-round match.
The British No. 1, who was seeded 16th at the final Grand Slam of the year, succumbed to a severe shoulder injury that has plagued his preparation for the tournament. The announcement sent shockwaves through Flushing Meadows, leaving a gap in the draw and a nation disappointed.
A Cruel Twist of Fate
Draper's withdrawal marks a heartbreaking continuation of the injury struggles that have intermittently disrupted his promising career. The 23-year-old left-hander had been battling the shoulder issue throughout the summer hard-court season but had hoped to compete through the pain in New York.
Tournament officials confirmed that Draper was officially scratched from the draw on Wednesday, with lucky loser Zachary Svajda stepping in to take his place against Italian opponent Matteo Arnaldi.
What This Means for British Tennis
The setback represents more than just a personal disappointment for Draper—it deals a significant blow to British tennis ahead of the final major of the season. As the highest-ranked British male player, much of the nation's hopes were resting on his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game.
"It's absolutely gutting for Jack," a source close to the player's camp revealed. "He's worked incredibly hard to get back to full fitness and this is the last thing any of us wanted. The shoulder just wasn't where it needed to be to compete at this level."
The Road to Recovery
Medical teams are now assessing the extent of the injury and formulating a rehabilitation plan. The timing couldn't be worse for Draper, who had been building momentum with strong performances throughout the season.
This withdrawal follows a pattern of physical setbacks that have tested the young star's resilience. The tennis world now watches and waits to see how quickly Britain's brightest talent can return to the court and resume his assault on the upper echelons of the game.
