Jack Draper makes 'difficult decision' to withdraw from Wimbledon

June 9, 2023

ATP Tennis Players, Tennis News, Wimbledon

Jack Draper makes ‘difficult decision’ to withdraw from Wimbledon as Brits face another setback

Jack Draper has announced that he will be missing Wimbledon due to injury, as British tennis faces another setback following Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from the grass major.

Draper broke into the world’s top 40 for the first time at the start of the year, but has faced a very disrupted season since and has played only seven tournaments in total.

This all came to a head at Roland Garros, when he withdrew from his first round match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry with a shoulder injury that was forcing him to underarm serve.

In a statement on Instagram, Draper announced he would miss the entire grass court season including his home major of Wimbledon. “It’s clear my shoulder is going to need time and rehab to get back to where it needs to be. My team and I have made the difficult decision to miss the grass-court season this year.”

“I guess in this sport there are so many ups and downs but this one is tough to take. The only thing for sure is that I will keep persevering. Thank you for all the support I get on here it means a lot.”

Wishing @jackdraper0 a speedy recovery ❤️‍?

Can't wait to see you back on court pic.twitter.com/Kc72zJbkGU

— LTA (@the_LTA) June 8, 2023

Draper won his first match at Wimbledon last year against Zizou Bergs, after winning a set against eventual champion Novak Djokovic in 2021 as a 19-year-old.

The 21-year-old is the second top Brit to announce they won’t be playing at SW19 in 2023, with WTA British No.1 Raducanu also confirming her absence from The Championships following surgeries to both wrists and her left ankle.

Jack Draper retirements and withdrawals in 2023

Draper is a one of a number of Brits who has struggled with injuries over recent months, and has had to withdraw from a plethora of tournaments due to leg, abdominal, hip and shoulder issues in 2023.

Here are the up-and-coming Brit’s retirements and withdrawals so far this season.

Retirements