Jack Draper has pulled out of this week’s Madrid Open and will additionally skip next month’s Italian Open due to a knee tendon injury that has hampered his return to the ATP tour. The 24-year-old British player, who is still recovering from bone bruising that kept him out since Wimbledon last year, withdrew from his only clay court match of the season in Barcelona after exacerbating the tendon problem. Draper’s latest setback comes just two months into his return, in which he has managed only eight matches. The injury forces him to abandon valuable ranking points in both Madrid and Rome, where he reached the final and quarter-finals respectively last year.
Exit from major clay events
Draper’s absence from Madrid and Rome constitutes a considerable setback to his clay court campaign and points defence. The British competitor had accumulated substantial ranking points in both tournaments during the prior year, reaching his first Masters 1000 final in Madrid before losing to Casper Ruud, and advancing to the quarter-finals in Rome. By pulling out of both events, he will lose a combined 850 ranking points, a decline that risks to push him outside the world’s top 70 and leave him unseeded for the French Open and likely Wimbledon as well.
The timing of the injury is especially unfortunate given Draper’s recent resurgence 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 persistent knee issue has forced him to reassess his schedule and prioritise recovery over immediate ranking points. Despite the frustration, Draper remains positive regarding competing at Roland Garros, with the French Open beginning on 24 May his main objective for the coming weeks.
- Draper made it to Madrid final last year, losing to Casper Ruud
- Reaching the quarter-finals in Rome last season now results in the loss of ranking points
- Career high ranking of four in June now threatened by withdrawal
- Considering ATP event in Geneva or Hamburg before French Open
The injury-related setback and timeline for recovery
Draper’s knee tendon injury represents a fresh setback in what has been a difficult return to competition. The 24-year-old British player confirmed the setback whilst expressing cautious optimism about his prospects at the French Open. “An inflamed tendon in my knee means I am unable to play in Madrid and Rome,” he stated. “It’s disappointing for sure, but I am thankful it isn’t anything more serious. Recovery is going well and I am confident in my chances of being fit for Roland Garros.” His comments suggest the injury, whilst substantial enough to force withdrawal from two major tournaments, is not expected to derail his overall campaign this season.
The timing of the injury is especially frustrating given Draper’s latest advancement following his eight-month spell away from the tour caused by bone contusions in his left serving arm. His comeback had shown genuine promise, culminating in an strong showing to the Indian Wells last eight where he impressively beat top-ranked player Novak Djokovic. However, the ongoing knee issue threatens to stall the momentum he had carefully rebuilt. Draper is considering playing an ATP event in either Hamburg or Geneva in the week before the French Open, which starts on 24 May, as a means of building competitive sharpness before his primary objective.
Barcelona retirement indicates escalating concern
The extent of Draper’s issue became apparent during his opening match at the Barcelona Open, where he was forced to retire whilst losing to Spain’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 4-1 in the final set. The impact of the injury was evident in his limited movement, causing his physio to apply supportive tape to the space below his right knee before the deciding set began. This was merely his fourth tournament back following his extended layoff, suggesting the rigours of playing on clay have put excessive strain on his healing knee.
Draper had previously worn knee tape during his Indian Wells campaign in early March, suggesting the injury issue predates his Barcelona withdrawal. The fact that he was able to play through that tournament—despite the underlying issue—but was eventually unable to continue in Barcelona suggests the problem has worsened rather than remained stable. This pattern of escalating pain calls into question whether his comeback schedule was properly aligned to his fitness levels.
Seeding implications and competitive seeding
Draper’s withdrawal from Madrid and Rome presents substantial implications for his ATP ranking, with a combined total of 850 ranking points now at danger of slipping from his record. The British player had gathered substantial points during his impressive performance at both tournaments last year, reaching 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 likely to trigger a significant decline in his world ranking, likely pushing him outside the top 70 for the first time since his breakthrough period last season.
The ranking deterioration will create immediate consequences for Draper’s seeding status at the forthcoming major tournaments. He is now highly likely to be unseeded at the French Open, a significant disadvantage on clay where seeding proves crucial in working through the draw. Similarly, his likelihood of maintaining a seeding at Wimbledon—his home major—appear ever more unlikely. This marks a sharp reversal to his highest ranking of world number four achieved in June last year, underlining how swiftly injuries and missed events can undermine earned gains 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 career high ranking of fourth in the world achieved in June 2025.
- Madrid 2025 final showing against Casper Ruud constitutes significant defending points.
- Loss of seeding status complicates seeding placement at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Roland Garros hopes and wider injury history
Despite the disappointment of missing two major clay court tournaments, Draper has struck an positive tone regarding his prospects at Roland Garros, which commences on 24 May. The British player has expressed confidence that his recuperation will advance sufficiently to enable him match fitness for the French Open, suggesting that the current knee tendon issue, whilst troublesome, is not expected to disrupt his major championship preparations entirely. He is even considering entering a preparatory ATP event in Hamburg or Geneva during the week before the tournament, a decision that will ultimately depend on how his recovery progresses over the following weeks.
Draper’s readiness to share his positive outlook on Paris demonstrates a greater sophistication in his approach to coping with setbacks. Rather than adopting a defeatist stance, he has accepted the setback whilst keeping things in perspective, pointing out that he is “thankful it is not anything more severe.” This measured perspective indicates he has gained important insights from prior lengthy absences, acknowledging the value of emotional fortitude alongside bodily rehabilitation. His skill in isolating frustration and direct attention to medium-term objectives may prove equally vital as his bodily recovery in establishing whether he can regain the level that saw him reach a career-best ranking of number four in the world.
History of physical injuries across career
The current knee injury marks merely the latest in a worrying sequence of physical ailments that have dotted Draper’s career trajectory. In 2023, he suffered a six-month lay-off from the tour resulting from a shoulder injury, a major disruption that raised questions about his durability at the highest level. Subsequently, hip issues affected his training heading into 2025, though he managed to overcome these issues effectively to produce a career-defining performance at Indian Wells, where he secured his maiden Masters 1000 title and reached the Madrid final.
The bone bruising that kept him out for an extended period after Wimbledon last year, allowing only a solitary Davis Cup appearance before his return in February, further highlights the fragility of his bodily state. Each injury has resulted in extended absences from competition, affecting rhythm and momentum at crucial junctures in the calendar. The cumulative effect of these recurring problems understandably prompts questions regarding whether Draper’s body can withstand the relentless demands of elite-level tennis, despite his evident talent and competitive spirit.
British tennis players hampered by injuries
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 withdrawal is particularly unfortunate given the substantial ranking points at stake in Madrid and Rome. He will forfeit 850 ranking points across the two tournaments, a decline anticipated to see him fall beyond the world’s top 70 from his present position. This drop in the rankings carries significant implications for his seeding prospects at the French Open and beyond, potentially affecting his seeding and tournament draw at Wimbledon in the latter stages of summer. The knock-on effects of skipping these tournaments extend beyond the immediate tournament results, influencing his progress through the rest of the season.
- Draper reached Madrid final and Rome quarter-finals in the year before
- Raducanu absent from Madrid as part of illness rehabilitation plan
- Boulter and Norrie represent sole British competitors at Madrid