NEW YORK — In a devastating blow to British tennis hopes, rising star Jack Draper has withdrawn from the 2024 US Open due to a shoulder injury. The 22-year-old, who recently ascended to the British number one ranking, was forced to make the difficult decision just days before the start of the final Grand Slam of the year, citing the need to prioritize his long-term health over immediate glory.
Draper’s announcement sent ripples through the tennis world, where he is widely regarded as one of the most promising talents of his generation. His powerful left-handed game and formidable athleticism have drawn comparisons to Andy Murray, and many pundits had tipped him for a deep run on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, a surface that suits his aggressive style perfectly.
The injury in question is a lingering issue with his left arm, specifically involving the shoulder. In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, Draper expressed his profound disappointment but emphasized the necessity of his decision. "I’ve got to do what’s right for my body," he wrote, capturing the difficult calculus every athlete faces when injury strikes. "I’ve been struggling with a problem with my left arm the last few weeks and I have run out of time to get it ready for a best of five sets match."
A Recurring Nightmare
For Draper and his fans, this scenario is sadly familiar. His young career has been repeatedly hampered by a series of physical setbacks that have stalled his momentum just as he appears to be breaking through. This particular shoulder problem first surfaced during his impressive run to the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open in Montreal earlier this month, where he notably defeated former US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Despite the pain, Draper battled through the tournament, ultimately being forced to retire in his match against Tommy Paul due to the injury. He subsequently withdrew from the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, hoping that a week of rest and intensive treatment would be sufficient for him to compete in New York. Unfortunately, the recovery timeline proved too short.
This pattern of injury-interrupted progress is a source of immense frustration. His physical potential is undeniable, but his body has, at times, struggled to keep pace with the explosive demands of his game. Past issues have included:
- A shoulder injury that forced him out of the 2023 French Open.
- An abdominal tear suffered during the US Open in 2022, leading to retirement.
- Various other muscle-related problems that have caused multiple withdrawals.
The Ripple Effect
Draper’s withdrawal has immediate consequences for the tournament draw and for British tennis. As the seeded player who would have occupied the 25th spot, his absence moves everyone below him up one place and allows a lucky loser from qualifying to enter the main draw. More significantly, it deprives the event of one of its most exciting and dangerous floaters.
For Team GB, Draper’s exit is a major setback. With Emma Raducanu also withdrawing from qualifying due to a wrist issue, and Andy Murray’s participation confirmed but his form a question mark, British prospects at a major tournament have suddenly dimmed. Draper was seen as the standard-bearer for the next era, and his absence leaves a considerable void.
The tennis community reacted with an outpouring of support. Fellow players, commentators, and fans took to social media to wish him a speedy recovery, acknowledging the cruel timing of the setback. The consensus is clear: when healthy, Jack Draper is a future Top 10 player and a potential Grand Slam champion. The key, frustratingly, is keeping him on the court.
Looking Ahead: Patience is Key
The focus for Draper and his team now shifts entirely to rehabilitation. The decision to withdraw, while heartbreaking, is ultimately a strategic one aimed at preserving his career for the long haul. Rushing back for a major tournament and risking a more severe, long-term injury would be a catastrophic error for a player of his age and talent.
In his statement, he looked forward with a determined optimism, stating "I know my future is bright and I’m going to keep working for more days like that." This perspective, while difficult to maintain in the face of such disappointment, is crucial. The goal will be to get fully healthy, potentially reassess his training and preparation routines to build greater resilience, and target a strong finish to the 2024 season.
The ATP Tour continues apace, with events in Shanghai and Paris on the horizon, followed by the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals. A fully-fit Draper would be a formidable opponent on any of those stages. This withdrawal, therefore, is not an end but a painful pause—a necessary step taken by a young man who has his sights set on a long and successful career at the very top of the game.
His parting words resonated with a maturity beyond his years, acknowledging the support system around him and the bigger picture. "Thank you to all the fans who support me and I’ll be back soon," he promised. For the sake of tennis, everyone will be hoping that promise is fulfilled swiftly and that the next time he steps onto a Grand Slam court, it will be with a clean bill of health.