Jack Draper’s 2025 season was marred by a left arm injury that kept him from competing for much of the year.
The British number one began 2025 by rising to world number four after winning the Indian Wells Masters and reaching the final of the Madrid Open.
However, after Wimbledon, Draper played only one match throughout the rest of the campaign.
Draper had been expected to play in Australia at the start of 2026, but withdrew from all play to aid his recovery process.
Who is to blame for Jack Draper’s injury issues?
Draper’s return to the court has been confirmed, but his injury history remains a major concern for the future.
Jack Sock says the extended nature of Jack Draper’s injury is ‘concerning’
Former Masters 1000 champion Jack Sock has discussed Draper’s injury issues on the Nothing Major Show.
The American star expressed his concern regarding Draper’s injury situation, particularly due to the area in which the injury lies.
“I think it will take a minute, I think like any of us know once you comeback from injury it’s not easy to just get right back into the form you’re in or the level you’re playing at,” Sock began.
“I do think this is strange, because he was playing at the US Open last year and it didn’t seem like a crazy injury, because he was almost like playing through it during that match and decided to retire mid-match if I remember.
“And then for it to take this long when you’re kind of playing on it and it’s still bothering you, I think that’s a little more concerning for me than just a flat out injury that happened either on a practice court or off-court training or something.
“I would say that’s a little concerning if it’s still bothering him and obviously left arm that’s his weapon, so I think it will maybe be a bit of a struggle when he comes back.
“Obviously I hope not, he was the player of the year for the most part last year going into that I feel like, so I hope he comes back and can ball out immediately, but I would say it is a little bit concerning that it was playable to a degree and still bothering him six months later almost.”
Where will Jack Draper be ranked by the end of 2026?
Draper is expected to return for Great Britain’s Davis Cup match against Norway, which will take place from February 5 to 6.
The British team face a tough opening match against a Norway side led by former Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud.
Leon Smith, the British Davis Cup captain, has also named Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash in his squad.
Jack Draper’s last match on the ATP Tour
It has been over four months since Jack Draper stepped onto court to play a professional tennis match.
The British star last competed at the US Open, where he defeated Federico Gomez 6-4, 7-5, 6-7, 6-2. He then withdrew from the tournament shortly before his second round match against Zizou Bergs.
Draper was supposed to participate in two exhibition events during the tennis off-season: the UTS Grand Final and Macau Tennis Masters.
However, he pulled out of both events, and his recent withdrawal from play in Australia has heightened concern regarding the status of his left arm injury.
