Jack Draper withdraws from Australian Open due to lingering arm injury appeared first on Clutch Points. Add ClutchPoints as Favorite source by clicking here.
British number one Jack Draper has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Australian Open as he continues to recover from a lingering arm injury that has severely restricted his playing schedule. The world No.10 confirmed the decision on Boxing Day via a video message on
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“Unfortunately, my team and I have decided not to travel to Australia this year,” Draper said. “It’s a really, really tough decision, obviously (with) Australia being a Grand Slam, it’s one of the biggest tournaments in our sport.
“However, I’ve been dealing with this injury for a long time, I’m in the very last stages of the process, and returning to the court so soon to play best-of-five sets just doesn’t seem like a wise decision for me and my tennis. I’ve obviously been through quite a few setbacks so far, but this one has been by far the toughest, most difficult and most complex I’ve had. It’s weird, it always seems to make me more resilient, makes me even hungrier to become the player I want to become even more.
“I can’t wait to get back out there in 2026 and compete. I just want to thank everyone for all your support in 2025. It means everything to me to compete and play on tour with the other guys. I can’t wait to do it again. Take care, everyone, and thank you for your support.”
Draper has played just one singles match since Wimbledon, with bone bruises to his left arm bringing a premature end to his 2025 season. The injury kept him sidelined for nearly five months.
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The decision came as a surprise to some, as Draper had been filmed before Christmas at Weybridge Tennis Center in Surrey, telling fans he expected to compete in Australia. However, medical advice ultimately led him and his team to cancel their travel plans. He had also pulled out earlier in December from the Ultimate Tennis Showdown grand final in London, which had been earmarked as his comeback event.
Draper’s last completed singles match was a first round victory at the US Open, after which he withdrew before his second round due to increasing discomfort in his arm. The injury was later diagnosed as a bone bruise, with symptoms first appearing while swinging on clay earlier in the year. He tried to deal with the situation and even returned to New York briefly, but shortly after, Draper had to end his season.
Before his injury, the 24-year-old was enjoying the most successful period of his career. In March, he won his first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, defeating Holger Rune in the final. This run helped propel him into the world’s top 10 for the first time and ultimately to a career-high 4th ranking in June. He had also reached the semi-finals of the US Open the previous year.
By skipping the Australian Open, Draper will not be able to defend the ranking points earned by reaching the fourth round in Melbourne last season, where he won three matches in five sets before dropping to Carlos Alcaraz. The withdrawal also continues a history of injury-related interruptions, including a six-month absence in 2023 due to multiple shoulder surgeries.
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Draper has not set a firm return date but is now likely targeting a return in February, ahead of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March, where he will defend 1,000 ranking points.
