Jack Draper has been ruled out of the French Open with a knee injury, marking another setback in his attempt to re-establish himself after a long-term arm injury that sidelined him for nearly eight months. The 24-year-old British tennis star has managed only nine matches in five events since returning in February, with his most recent match ending in retirement during the first round of the Barcelona Open against Tomás Martín Etcheverry.
Injury Diagnosis and Recovery Plan
Draper was diagnosed with an aggravated knee tendon injury after retiring in Barcelona. Initially, he had hoped to return before the second grand slam of the year, which begins on 24 May. However, after consulting with medical advisors, he has decided not to risk his body on the demanding clay courts and will instead prioritize recovery for the grass-court season.
Draper's Statement
Writing on Instagram, Draper expressed his disappointment: "My knee is on the mend and I’ve started back hitting balls but unfortunately I have been advised not to play Roland Garros. As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five-set tennis on clay. Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I’ve been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!"
Impact on Rankings and British Tennis
Less than a year ago, Draper was ranked in the world's top four and considered a potential challenger to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for major titles. Now, he joins Alcaraz in missing Roland Garros and is almost certain to fall outside the top 100 when he returns. This continues a disappointing season for leading Britons, with Emma Raducanu also sidelined due to post-viral symptoms after an illness in early February. Sonay Kartal has ruled herself out of the French Open with a back injury suffered at the Miami Open, while Fran Jones and Jacob Fearnley have also been struggling with fitness.
Upcoming Tournaments
Cameron Norrie, who will return to the world's top 20 next month, and Katie Boulter were the only Britons participating in singles at the Madrid Open. It could be the same for the Italian Open in Rome next week unless Raducanu makes a recovery. The main draw of the French Open begins on 24 May, with the women's and men's finals taking place on 6 and 7 June respectively.
