- Jack Draper will miss the French Open due to a persistent knee injury.
- The player faces a significant drop in the world tennis rankings soon.
- Other British players like Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are also struggling.
Jack Draper is forced to withdraw from the French Open and the remaining clay season. The 24-year-old is dealing with a tendon problem in his right knee. He previously retired from a match in Barcelona and missed events in Rome and Madrid.
Draper expressed his disappointment on Instagram about missing another Grand Slam. He noted that medical advice warned against rushing back into five set matches on clay. He is currently focusing on recovery to ensure he can return as a strong competitor.
The athlete’s ranking is expected to drop to around 50th after the Madrid Open. He cannot defend 650 points from his runner-up finish last year. He also loses points from previous runs in Rome and at Roland Garros.
Injury struggles have plagued his early career, affecting his hip, shoulder, and arm. Despite this, he reached fourth in the world rankings in early 2025. He also won a Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells that same year.
Draper hopes to compete on grass starting 8 June in Stuttgart. However, he will likely lack a seed for Wimbledon. This means he could face a top-seeded opponent as early as the first or second round.
Other British stars are also facing difficulties. Sonay Kartal is missing the clay season with a back injury. Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu is recovering from illness and will decide shortly if she can play in Rome.
