Jack Draper has pulled out of this week’s Madrid Open and will additionally miss next month’s Italian Open owing to a knee tendon injury that has plagued his return to the ATP tour. The 24-year-old British player, who is still recovering from bone bruising that kept him out from Wimbledon last year, retired from his only clay court match of the season in Barcelona after aggravating the tendon problem. Draper’s recent injury comes just two months into his return, in which he has played only eight matches. The injury compels him to abandon significant ranking points in both Madrid and Rome, where he made the final and quarter-finals respectively last year.
Exit from key clay tournaments
Draper’s absence from Madrid and Rome represents a considerable setback to his clay-court efforts and ranking protection. The British player had accumulated considerable ranking points in both tournaments during the previous year, reaching his maiden Masters 1000 final in Madrid before losing to Casper Ruud, and advancing to the last eight in Rome. By withdrawing from both events, he will lose a combined 850 ranking points, a drop that threatens to move him beyond the world’s top 70 and leave him unseeded for the French Open and probably Wimbledon as well.
The occurrence of the injury is especially unfortunate given Draper’s strong comeback following his extended absence from the tour. His comeback had shown promise, including an impressive victory over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in March and a progression to the quarter-finals at that event. However, the ongoing knee problem has forced him to reassess his schedule and prioritise recovery over immediate ranking points. Despite the frustration, Draper remains optimistic about competing at Roland Garros, with the French Open beginning on 24 May his main objective for the coming weeks.
- Draper reached Madrid final last year, defeated by Casper Ruud
- Reaching the quarter-finals in Rome the previous season now costs ranking points
- Personal best ranking of four in June now threatened by withdrawal
- Weighing up ATP event in Geneva or Hamburg ahead of French Open
The setback from injury and timeline for recovery
Draper’s knee tendon injury represents a fresh setback in what has been a troublesome return to competition. The 24-year-old British player confirmed the setback whilst maintaining cautious optimism about his chances at the French Open. “An inflamed tendon in my knee means I am unable to play in Madrid and Rome,” he explained. “It’s disappointing for sure, but I am thankful it is not anything more serious. I’m recovering well and I am confident in my chances of being fit for Roland Garros.” His comments suggest the injury, whilst significant enough to force withdrawal from two major tournaments, is not expected to derail his overall campaign this season.
The occurrence of the injury is especially vexing given Draper’s recent progress following his eight-month spell away from the tour caused by bone contusions in his left arm. His comeback had demonstrated real potential, culminating in an strong showing to the Indian Wells last eight where he notably defeated top-ranked player Novak Djokovic. However, the persistent knee problem risks derailing the momentum he had carefully rebuilt. Draper is weighing up an ATP event in Hamburg or Geneva in the week before the French Open, which starts on 24 May, as a means of building match fitness before his primary objective.
Barcelona retirement indicates growing worry
The extent of Draper’s injury was evident during his opening match at the Barcelona Open, where he was compelled to withdraw whilst losing to Spain’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 4-1 in the final set. The impact of the injury was evident in his restricted mobility, causing his physio to apply supportive tape to the area below his right knee before the last set commenced. This was merely his fourth tournament back following his lengthy time away, implying the pressures of competing on clay have put excessive strain on his mending knee.
Draper had previously worn knee tape during his Indian Wells tournament in early March, indicating the injury issue predates his Barcelona withdrawal. The fact that he managed to compete through that tournament—despite the underlying problem—but was ultimately forced to withdraw in Barcelona suggests the problem has deteriorated rather than remained stable. This pattern of escalating pain calls into question whether his comeback schedule was properly aligned to his physical readiness.
Ranking implications and tournament seeding
Draper’s withdrawal from Madrid and Rome carries significant consequences for his ATP ranking, with a combined total of 850 ranking points now at risk of falling from his record. The British player had accumulated substantial points during his impressive performance at both tournaments last year, attaining his maiden clay court final in Madrid before losing to Casper Ruud, and then progressing to the quarter-finals in Rome. The loss of these defending points is expected to precipitate a significant decline in his world ranking, probably moving him outside the top 70 for the first time since his breakthrough period last season.
The ranking slip will have immediate ramifications for Draper’s seeding status at the forthcoming major tournaments. He is now almost certain to be unseeded for the French Open, a considerable drawback on clay where seeding can prove crucial in managing the bracket. Similarly, his chances of keeping a seeding at Wimbledon—his home Grand Slam—appear increasingly remote. This marks a sharp reversal to his career-best ranking of world number four reached in June last year, demonstrating how quickly injuries and missed tournaments can diminish hard-won advancement in professional tennis.
| Tournament | Points at Risk |
|---|---|
| Madrid Open | 600 |
| Italian Open (Rome) | 250 |
| Total ranking impact | 850 |
| Projected ranking movement | Outside top 70 |
- Draper’s peak ranking of fourth in the world achieved in June 2025.
- Madrid 2025 final showing against Casper Ruud represents substantial points to defend.
- Loss of seeding status complicates draw positioning at Roland Garros and Wimbledon tournaments.
Roland Garros aspirations regarding broader injury record
Despite the frustration of skipping two significant clay court tournaments, Draper has adopted an positive tone regarding his prospects at Roland Garros, which begins on 24 May. The British player has stated confidently that his recovery will advance adequately to enable him competitive readiness for the French Open, indicating that the current knee tendon issue, whilst problematic, is not anticipated to derail his major championship preparations entirely. He is even considering competing in a warm-up ATP event in either Hamburg or Geneva during the week preceding the tournament, a decision that will ultimately depend on how his rehabilitation progresses over the coming weeks.
Draper’s readiness to share his optimism about Paris shows a greater sophistication in his handling of dealing with injuries. Rather than embracing negativity, he has recognised the reverse whilst maintaining perspective, noting that he is “thankful it is not anything more severe.” This level-headed view indicates he has acquired crucial understanding from previous extended absences, understanding the value of psychological strength alongside physical recovery. His capacity to separate disappointment and direct attention to medium-term objectives may be equally important as his physical rehabilitation in establishing whether he can recapture the performance that allowed him to attain a career-high ranking of world number four.
History of physical injuries throughout career
The latest knee injury constitutes merely the latest in a troubling sequence of health issues that have punctuated Draper’s career path. In 2023, he suffered a six-month absence from the tour caused by a shoulder injury, a significant setback that cast doubt about his resilience at the highest level. Subsequently, hip problems affected his preparations leading up to 2025, though he successfully addressed these difficulties adequately to achieve a career-best performance at Indian Wells, where he secured his inaugural Masters 1000 title and made the Madrid final.
The bone bruising that sidelined him for an extended period following Wimbledon last year, allowing only a single Davis Cup outing before his return in February, further highlights the vulnerability of his bodily state. Each injury has resulted in extended absences from competition, disrupting rhythm and momentum at crucial junctures in the season. The cumulative effect of these persistent issues inevitably raises concerns about whether Draper’s body can withstand the unrelenting pressures of elite-level tennis, notwithstanding his evident talent and fighting mentality.
British tennis team dealing with injury problems
Draper’s absence from the Madrid and Rome events leaves the British tennis contingent considerably weakened during the crucial spring clay court season. With Emma Raducanu also sidelined from Madrid as she continues her recovery from illness, only Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie represent Great Britain at this week’s tournament. The simultaneous injuries to two of Britain’s most promising talents underscore the precarious nature of professional tennis, where the margin between elite competition and enforced absence remains frustratingly thin. Both players have shown considerable promise in recent seasons, and their absence from significant ranking events represents a notable blow to British tennis aspirations during this pivotal period of the calendar|key stage in the tennis calendar.
The timing of Draper’s absence is particularly unfortunate given the significant ranking points at stake in Madrid and Rome. He will lose 850 ranking points in both tournaments, a loss that is expected to see him drop outside the top 70 rankings from his present position. This descent in the rankings carries significant implications for his seeding chances at the French Open and further afield, possibly impacting his draw and competitive positioning at Wimbledon in the latter stages of summer. The cascading consequences of skipping these tournaments extend beyond the immediate tournament results, influencing his trajectory throughout the remainder of the season.
- Draper progressed to Madrid final and Rome last eight in the year before
- Raducanu absent from Madrid as part of illness recovery programme
- Boulter and Norrie represent only British competitors at Madrid