Jack Draper has withdrawn from the upcoming Madrid Open and will additionally skip the forthcoming Italian Open due to a knee tendon injury that has hampered his return to the ATP tour.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 sidelined him from Wimbledon last year, retired from his only clay court match of the season in Barcelona after aggravating the tendon problem. Draper’s latest setback comes only two months into his comeback, in which he has managed only eight matches. The injury compels him to abandon significant ranking points in both Madrid and Rome, where he made the final and quarter-finals in turn last year.
Departure from major clay events
Draper’s absence from Madrid and Rome represents a significant blow to his clay court campaign and ranking protection. The British competitor had amassed considerable ranking points in both tournaments during the prior year, reaching his first Masters 1000 final in Madrid before losing to Casper Ruud, and progressing to the quarter-finals in Rome. By withdrawing from both events, he will forfeit a combined 850 ranking points, a decline that risks to move him beyond 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 strong comeback following his prolonged time away from the tour. His return demonstrated promise, including an notable win over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in March and a progression to the quarter-finals at that event. However, the ongoing knee problem has forced him to reconsider his schedule and prioritise recovery over immediate ranking points. Despite the frustration, Draper remains optimistic about competing at Roland Garros, with the French Open beginning on 24 May his primary target for the coming weeks.
- Draper made it to Madrid final in the previous year, defeated by Casper Ruud
- Quarter-final appearance in Rome last season now costs ranking points
- Personal best ranking of four during June now at risk from withdrawal
- Weighing up ATP event in Geneva or Hamburg before French Open
The injury-related setback and timeline for recovery
Draper’s knee tendon injury constitutes a new setback in what has been a troublesome comeback period. The 24-year-old British player confirmed the injury whilst maintaining guarded hope about his chances at the French Open. “An aggravated tendon in my knee means I am unable to play in Madrid and Rome,” he explained. “It’s disappointing for sure, but I am thankful it is not anything more serious. I’m recovering well and I feel good about my chances of being fit for Roland Garros.” His comments indicate the injury, whilst substantial enough to force absence from two major tournaments, is not expected to derail his overall campaign this season.
The timing of the setback is particularly vexing given Draper’s latest advancement after his eight-month spell away from the tour due to bone contusions in his left arm. His comeback had demonstrated real potential, culminating in an strong showing to the Indian Wells quarter-finals where he impressively beat top-ranked player Novak Djokovic. However, the persistent knee problem 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 commences on 24 May, as a means of building competitive sharpness before his primary objective.
Barcelona retirement indicates growing worry
The severity of Draper’s issue was evident during his initial encounter at the Barcelona Open, where he was compelled to withdraw whilst trailing Spain’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 4-1 in the concluding set. The impact of the problem was clear in his compromised movement, leading his physio to apply supportive tape to the area below his right knee before the deciding set began. This was merely his fourth competition back after his prolonged absence, suggesting the demands of competing on clay have placed excessive strain on his recovering knee.
Draper had previously worn knee tape during his Indian Wells campaign in early March, indicating the injury issue precedes his Barcelona withdrawal. The fact that he managed to compete through that tournament—despite the underlying issue—but was eventually unable to continue in Barcelona implies the problem has deteriorated rather than stabilised. This trend of increasing discomfort raises questions about whether his comeback schedule was properly aligned to his fitness levels.
Seeding implications and competitive seeding
Draper’s withdrawal from Madrid and Rome presents significant consequences for his ATP ranking, with a aggregate sum of 850 ranking points now at danger of slipping from his record. The British player had accumulated considerable points during his strong showing at both tournaments last year, attaining 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 expected to precipitate a significant decline in his world ranking, probably moving him outside the top 70 for the first time since his breakthrough period last season.
The ranking deterioration will have immediate ramifications for Draper’s ranking protection at the upcoming Grand Slam tournaments. He is now virtually guaranteed to be unseeded for the French Open, a significant disadvantage on clay where seeding can prove crucial in navigating a draw. Similarly, his chances of keeping a seeding at Wimbledon—his home Grand Slam—appear increasingly remote. This marks a sharp reversal to his career-best ranking of world number four attained in June last year, highlighting how rapidly injuries and tournament absences 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 peak ranking of fourth in the world reached in June 2025.
- Madrid 2025 final appearance versus Casper Ruud represents substantial points to defend.
- Loss of seeding status complicates seeding placement at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Roland Garros hopes and broader injury history
Despite the disappointment of skipping two significant clay court tournaments, Draper has struck an positive tone regarding his chances at Roland Garros, which commences on 24 May. The British competitor has stated confidently 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 anticipated to derail his major championship preparations completely. He is even considering competing in a preparatory ATP event in Hamburg or Geneva during the week before the tournament, a decision that will ultimately depend on how his rehabilitation progresses over the coming weeks.
Draper’s willingness to discuss his optimism about Paris shows a broader maturity in his management of injury management. Rather than embracing negativity, he has accepted the reverse whilst keeping things in perspective, noting that he is “thankful it is not anything more serious.” This level-headed view indicates he has learned valuable lessons from earlier prolonged absences, recognising the importance of emotional fortitude alongside physical recuperation. His skill in isolating setback and focus on mid-range targets may prove equally vital as his physical rehabilitation in determining whether he can recapture the level that allowed him to attain a highest career ranking of number four in the world.
Record of physical problems throughout career
The latest knee injury constitutes merely the most recent in a worrying sequence of physical ailments that have dotted Draper’s professional journey. In 2023, he suffered a six-month lay-off from the tour resulting from a shoulder injury, a major disruption that cast doubt about his robustness at the highest level. Subsequently, hip problems plagued his build-up in the lead-up to 2025, though he successfully addressed these difficulties sufficiently to produce a landmark performance at Indian Wells, where he secured his first Masters 1000 title and made the Madrid final.
The bone bruising that kept him out for an extended period following Wimbledon last year, permitting only a solitary Davis Cup appearance before his return in February, further highlights the fragility of his bodily state. Each injury has forced extended absences from competition, disrupting rhythm and form at critical moments in the season. The combined impact of these persistent issues understandably prompts concerns about whether Draper’s body can endure the unrelenting pressures of elite-level tennis, notwithstanding his clear ability and competitive spirit.
British tennis team 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 scheduling of Draper’s withdrawal is especially regrettable given the substantial ranking points at stake in Madrid and Rome. He will lose 850 ranking points across the two tournaments, a loss that is expected to see him fall beyond the world’s top 70 from his current standing. This drop in the rankings carries significant implications for his seeding prospects at the French Open and further afield, possibly impacting his seeding and tournament draw at Wimbledon in the latter stages of summer. The cascading consequences of missing these events extend beyond the immediate tournament results, shaping his progress through the rest of the season.
- Draper reached Madrid final and Rome last eight in previous year
- Raducanu absent from Madrid as part of illness rehabilitation plan
- Boulter and Norrie serve as only British representatives at Madrid