NEW YORK — British number one Jack Draper has revealed the full extent of the arm injury that threatened to derail his US Open campaign, admitting he was forced to take a complete break from serving for nearly a month but now feels "ready to go" at the final Grand Slam of the year.
The 21-year-old left-hander, who reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows last year, has been struggling with a shoulder issue that forced him to retire from his quarter-final match against Andy Murray at the Miami Open in March and has significantly limited his playing time since. The problem was later diagnosed as a tear in his rotator cuff, a serious setback that required extensive rehabilitation and a carefully managed return.
A Grueling Rehabilitation Process
Draper detailed the challenging recovery process, which involved a complete shutdown of one of tennis's most crucial motions. "I had three weeks where I didn't serve at all," Draper confessed in his pre-tournament press conference. "It was a really difficult period, just trying to get the arm right, doing a lot of rehab, a lot of strengthening."
The injury, which he described as a "niggle" that progressively worsened, impacted his entire 2023 season. His participation in the North American hard-court swing, which includes prestigious lead-up events like the Canadian Open and the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, was severely compromised. He was forced to withdraw from multiple tournaments, casting a shadow over his US Open preparations.
Despite the lack of match play, Draper's confidence stems from a positive week of practice in New York. He reported a significant reduction in pain and a steady increase in the intensity of his serving sessions. "It's feeling much better," he stated. "I've been serving the last ten days or so, building up slowly. I'm not quite serving full out yet, but I'm serving probably 80, 90 percent. For me, it's enough to compete."
Managing Expectations in New York
Ranked 123rd in the world a year ago, Draper has since skyrocketed to a career-high of No. 38 and assumed the mantle of British number one. This new status, combined with his deep run in 2022, naturally brings heightened expectations. However, the young Brit is pragmatic about his chances, acknowledging that his primary goal is simply to get through the first round healthy.
"It's been a tough year with injuries," Draper reflected. "For me, it's about managing my body. The most important thing is to get out on the court and see where I'm at. I'm not putting too much pressure on myself to go extremely deep in this tournament. It's more about building myself back up."
His draw pits him against Romania's Radu Albot, a qualifier and former top-40 player. It represents a tricky but manageable first test. Draper's key focus areas for the match and the tournament will be:
- Serve Efficiency: Maximizing power and placement without overexerting the shoulder.
- Point Construction: Leveraging his powerful groundstrokes to keep points short.
- Patience: Accepting that his best level may not be immediately present.
The Bigger Picture: A Stop-Start Season
The shoulder injury is just the latest in a series of physical problems that have plagued Draper's young career. Earlier this year, he also dealt with abdominal and hip issues, which have prevented him from building any sustained momentum on tour. These recurring setbacks have been a source of immense frustration for a player widely touted as a future star of the game.
"It's been stop-start all year," he admitted. "Every time I've got going, I've had another setback. It's been tough mentally, but I'm still young. I'm trying to learn from it and become more robust." This perspective highlights a maturity beyond his years, focusing on long-term development rather than short-term disappointment.
Conclusion: Ready for the Challenge
Despite the obvious challenges, the tone from Draper's camp is cautiously optimistic. His team believes the extended break, while not ideal for match sharpness, may have been necessary to properly address the underlying issue. While he may not be at 100% capacity, his raw talent and powerful game make him a dangerous floater in the draw. Jack Draper's US Open journey will be one of the most closely watched storylines, not just for the result, but for the signs of a full and lasting recovery. "I'm here, I'm competing, and I'm ready to give it my best," he declared, ready to step back into the spotlight on tennis's biggest stage.