NEW YORK — In a devastating blow to British tennis hopes, rising star Jack Draper has been forced to withdraw from the 2024 US Open just days before the tournament's start. The 22-year-old left-hander, considered one of the brightest prospects in the game, succumbed to a persistent shoulder injury that has plagued his North American hard-court swing.
Draper’s team issued a formal statement confirming the heartbreaking decision, expressing profound disappointment but emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing the player's long-term health over immediate competitive ambitions. The withdrawal marks another significant setback in a young career already punctuated by frustrating physical ailments.
The statement read: "It goes without saying that this was an incredibly difficult decision for Jack. He loves playing in New York and was building great momentum after his recent title win in Winston-Salem. However, after extensive consultation with his medical team, he has been advised that he is not fully recovered and that competing at best-of-five sets could risk a more significant injury."
A Summer of Promise Cut Short
Draper’s withdrawal is particularly gut-wrenching given his scintillating form leading into the final Grand Slam of the year. Just one week ago, he captured the biggest title of his career at the Winston-Salem Open, defeating Marcos Giron in a commanding straight-sets final. That victory propelled him to a career-high ranking of World No. 55.
His run in North Carolina was a showcase of his immense potential: a powerful lefty serve, thunderous groundstrokes, and a vastly improved tactical maturity. Many pundits had tipped him as a dangerous dark horse at Flushing Meadows, capable of causing serious damage in a wide-open quarter of the draw.
However, the shoulder issue, which first flared during his quarter-final loss to Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati, has not responded sufficiently to treatment. The physical demands of a two-week Grand Slam, where men play best-of-five set matches, were deemed too great a risk at this stage of his recovery.
A Recurring Battle With Injuries
For Draper, this latest setback is a familiar and frustrating story. His prodigious talent has often been hampered by a series of physical problems that have disrupted his ascent up the rankings. His young career has already been impacted by:
- A serious shoulder injury that sidelined him for three months in 2023.
- An abdominal tear suffered during the 2022 US Open, which forced him to retire from his third-round match.
- Hip problems that have intermittently affected his training and tournament schedule.
Each time Draper has built momentum, an injury has seemingly emerged to halt his progress. This pattern has been a source of immense frustration for the player, his team, and British tennis fans who see in him a potential future Grand Slam champion.
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman, speaking to Sky Sports, expressed his sympathy: "It's absolutely brutal for Jack. He's worked so hard to get back to full fitness and was playing the best tennis of his life. To have this happen now is a cruel twist. But the smart move is to look at the bigger picture. He's 22, he has his whole career ahead of him. Protecting his body is the only sensible option, even if it hurts right now."
The Ripple Effect and What's Next
Draper’s withdrawal creates a vacancy in the main draw, which will be filled by a lucky loser from the qualifying competition. For the British contingent, it is a significant blow. With Emma Raducanu also withdrawing due to a wrist issue, the home nation's hopes now rest heavily on the shoulders of Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, and Andy Murray.
The immediate focus for Draper and his team will shift entirely to rehabilitation. The goal will be a full and robust recovery, with an eye on a return to the court for the autumn indoor swing in Europe. Tournaments in Antwerp, Vienna, Basel, and the Paris Masters are now the target for his comeback.
The statement from his team concluded on a note of determined optimism: "Jack is utterly devastated but is already focused on his rehab. He is determined to overcome this setback, as he has done before, and return to the tour stronger. He thanks his fans for their overwhelming support and promises to be back competing for the biggest titles very soon."
A Test of Resilience
This withdrawal is more than just a missed tournament; it is a harsh test of Draper's mental fortitude. The ability to navigate the emotional turmoil of repeated injuries is often what separates good players from great champions. The history of tennis is littered with talents whose bodies could not withstand the sport's rigors.
Yet, it also features those who overcame similar adversity. Juan Martín del Potro, for instance, battled countless wrist surgeries to eventually return and win big titles. Draper’s challenge now is to channel his frustration into a meticulous and patient recovery process.
For now, the buzzing atmosphere of Flushing Meadows will be a little quieter without the powerful game and competitive fire of Jack Draper. His absence is a stark reminder of the physical toll professional tennis exacts and the fragile line athletes walk between peak performance and breakdown.
The hope for British tennis is that this is merely a pause, not a derailment. Draper’s talent remains undeniable. His journey forward will be one of the most closely watched narratives in the sport, a story of a young man’s battle not just against opponents on the other side of the net, but against the limitations of his own physique.
The final word, for now, belongs to the statement that announced this disappointing news, capturing the bittersweet reality of professional sport: "Sometimes the most courageous decision is to not play."