Jack Draper’s return to tennis is imminent as he prepares for his first match in six months at the Davis Cup.
The British star has not played a competitive tennis match since the 2025 US Open, but he has been confirmed for Great Britain’s team in their tie against Norway.
Draper has been tipped for a big comeback by Cameron Norrie after a breakthrough year in 2025 which saw him win Indian Wells and reach a career ranking high of world number four.
After an extremely long lay-off from the sport, Draper has revealed the struggles of dealing with his arm injury.
Jack Draper opens up on ‘tricky’ time away from tennis
Draper will undoubtedly be Great Britain’s biggest hope on the grander stages when he returns to the sport.
Great Britain will be hoping he can return on top form with a tough test against Norway away from home soil.
Speaking to the LTA, Draper shared an update and his mentality following his lengthy hiatus from the sport.
Where will Jack Draper be ranked by the end of 2026?
“Been a long time since I’ve been able to compete, but I’ve stayed in a good place. Although it’s been tricky, lots of dark moments, lots of tough times, but that’s the sport I signed up for,” he said.
“Always learning, always growing, happy to be back playing again. I just miss the buzz of competing to be honest.
“I miss the thrill of playing in front of people against great players and that winning feeling. You can’t replicate it training. So, it’s going to feel great to get back out there again.”
Draper could very well be in line for a tough test against Casper Ruud upon his return as he looks to start Great Britain’s 2026 Davis Cup campaign in positive fashion.
Jack Draper opens up on his rivalry with other British stars
Draper will join the strongest British team possible at the Davis Cup, with Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Lloyd Glasspool, and Julian Cash also called up for the tie.
The British star can’t wait to be around the hustle and bustle of the team, and he’s excited to reignite with Fearnley following their time on the junior tour.
“I think all of us are are big competitors in this team. I know Cam and Jacob, it’s going to be special being around Jacob again because we grew up together.
Who is to blame for Jack Draper’s injury issues?
“We played Winter Cup, Summer Cup in Great Britain.[There are] many pictures of us together when we were so young and to see him playing well on the tour and being together with him will be extra special, but also the other boys as well. you know Julian, Cam, Lloyd, it’s going to be a really great team environment.”
Fearnley and Draper were firm friends in their junior days, but they haven’t seen much of each other since turning professional.
“I think me and Jacob were like very close friends growing up and then I went pro pretty early. And he went to college.
“A lot of the lot of the players now from the UK have sort of come out of college and are playing really well and he’s one of those. So we kind of lost contact for a while, but we we always remain like really really good friends. I think when we were younger we were kind of like arch rivals.
“So we do have that sort of competitive relationship as well. And I think it’s great to to see not only him but all the other players as well really coming onto the tour and and doing amazing things and and of, course, yeah very proud of him.”
Draper is also excited to be around the Great British staff having spent a long time working with them at the National Tennis Centre.
“I think that’s it. I think we’ve got an amazing support staff. I’m a always been training here at
the NTC since I was young. I know all the the coaches of the LTA and I think it’s a special environment.
“It’s like we’re taking that on the road. And so I think that’s that’s the main thing just looking forward to being a part of the team and and all the amazing people that that are in it.”
Great Britain’s tie with Norway in the Davis Cup will take place on 5-6 February at the Nadderud Arena in Oslo.
