LONDON — British tennis star Jack Draper has provided a significant update on his recovery from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him since his third-round retirement at the US Open in August, confirming his planned return to the ATP Tour is imminent and that he is targeting a comeback in a matter of weeks.
The 21-year-old, widely regarded as the future of British men's tennis, was forced to withdraw from his match against Andrey Rublev at Flushing Meadows due to the persisting issue. The timing was particularly cruel, as Draper was in the form of his life, having just claimed the biggest win of his career by defeating 17th seed Hubert Hurkacz in the previous round.
A Frustrating Halt to Meteoric Rise
Draper's injury brought a sudden and frustrating halt to a season that had seen him break into the world's top 40 for the first time. His powerful left-handed game and aggressive baseline play had made him a nightmare matchup for top players, a fact he proved by reaching his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in Montreal just weeks before the US Open.
Speaking to reporters at a promotional event, Draper opened up about the physical and mental challenges of the past few months. "It's been a really tough period for me," Draper admitted. "When you're playing the best tennis of your life and you have to stop, it's incredibly difficult to accept."
The injury, officially diagnosed as a tear in his rotator cuff, required a complete shutdown from tennis. This meant Draper was unable to capitalize on his hardcourt momentum and was forced to miss the entirety of the Asian swing, including tournaments where he had valuable points to defend.
The Financial Cost of Recovery
The layoff has not only been a sporting setback but a significant financial one. By being absent from the tour during the lucrative final quarter of the season, Draper has missed out on the opportunity to earn an estimated £3.8 million in potential prize money.
This staggering figure is based on the prize pools for tournaments he was scheduled to play, including:
• The ATP 500 events in Beijing and Tokyo.
• The Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai.
• The European indoor swing, including Basel and Paris.
• The ATP Finals in Turin, for which he was on the cusp of qualification.
Draper, however, maintained a philosophical perspective on the lost earnings. "Of course, you think about the opportunities missed, the ranking points, the money," he said. "But my team and I agreed that my long-term health is the only priority. You can't put a price on being able to play this sport without pain for the next ten years."
The Road to Recovery
The rehabilitation process has been meticulous and demanding. Draper's team, which includes his physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach, has implemented a structured program focused on strengthening the muscles around the shoulder joint to prevent a recurrence.
"It's been a lot of slow, repetitive work," Draper explained. "We've had to rebuild the strength from the ground up. It's not the most exciting part of being a professional athlete, but it's arguably the most important. I'm now pain-free and have started serving again, which is the final hurdle."
His current training regimen involves:
• Daily physiotherapy and mobility sessions.
• Gradual reintroduction of groundstrokes and match-intensity drills.
• A carefully monitored serving program, starting at low intensity.
• A significant focus on core and lower-body strength to support his overall game.
Targeting a Return in Europe
While an exact tournament has not been officially confirmed, the strong indication is that Draper will make his comeback at the Sofia Open in Bulgaria, which begins on November 6th. This ATP 250 event on indoor hard courts presents a lower-pressure environment to ease back into competition.
"The plan is to return before the end of the season," Draper stated confidently. "I'm feeling positive and my body is responding well. Sofia is a possibility, but we will make a final decision in the next week based on how I progress in these final stages of training."
Following Sofia, the ATP Tour moves to other European indoor events in Metz and Tel Aviv, providing Draper with a clear runway to build match sharpness before the season concludes. His primary goal for the remainder of 2023 is simply to get matches under his belt and finish the year healthy.
Looking Ahead to 2024
Despite the setback, Draper's ambitions for the 2024 season remain sky-high. A strong finish to this year would provide a solid foundation for an assault on the Australian Open in January, where he will be eager to improve upon his first-round exit from this year.
"This time away has been tough, but it's also given me clarity," Draper reflected. "I know what I'm capable of when I'm fit and healthy. I've beaten top players, I've gone deep in big tournaments. The belief is still there, stronger than ever."
The tennis world will be watching closely when Draper does return. His explosive power and all-court potential have marked him as a future Grand Slam contender. For British tennis fans, his recovery is of paramount importance, especially with the iconic grass-court season and Wimbledon on the horizon next summer.
The missed £3.8 million serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins in professional sport, but for Jack Draper, the focus is now firmly on the future. His message was one of resilience and optimism: "The shoulder is good. I'm on my way back."