Jack Draper has withdrawn from the US Open as the pain in the arm injury he has been managing since Wimbledon became too great.
The world No5 had not played a singles match between a second-round defeat at Wimbledon and his first-round victory here.
He looked well below-par in that four-set win over Argentina’s Federico Gomez and admitted afterwards than he was still feeling some discomfort due to the bone bruising in his left humerus.
The hope from his camp was that the pain would die down as Draper played his way into the tournament but that has not been the case.
‘I’m sorry to say I’ll be withdrawing from the US Open,’ said Draper in a statement. ‘I tried my very best to be here and give myself the every chance to play but the discomfort in my arm has become to much and I have to do what is right and look after myself.’
It is a crushing blow for the British No1, for whom this has been by far his most productive Grand Slam.
Jack Draper has withdrawn from the US Open as he continues to struggle with an arm injury
There was hope the pain would reduce during the tournament but that hasn’t been the case
The world No5 looked well below-par in his four-set win over Argentina’s Federico Gomez
‘You’ve got to listen to your body,’ said Tim Henman on Sky Sports. ‘As hard as it will have been, this is the right cause of action.’
The bone bruising began in the middle of the clay season, meaning it has lingered over the French Open, Wimbledon and here in New York. All the momentum Draper built up by winning the biggest title of his career in Indian Wells and reaching the final on the clay of Madrid has dissipated.
Given he was troubled by hip pain at the Australian Open, Draper has gone a full season without being fully fit for a single Grand Slam.
The 23-year-old has been troubled by injury throughout his career, but during his breakthrough 2024 season it seemed he had put those troubles behind him.
He brought in physio Shane Annun and fitness trainer Matt Little – both formerly of team-Andy Murray – and as much as his tennis has continued to improve this year, those physical issues have recurred.
Draper has managed only 11 tournament this year, and it may be several weeks yet before we see him return to the court.