Britain’s Jack Draper has revealed to Sky Sports that the “complicated” nature of his arm injury had left him “in a pinch”, but insisted he is now ready to compete and intends to defend his Indian Wells title.
The British number one has played just one match since Wimbledon in July, with a bone bruise in his left arm that cut his 2025 season completely short and also ruled him out of last month’s Australian Open.
The 24-year-old has been plagued by serious injuries in the past, missing six months of the 2023 season with a shoulder problem that required multiple surgeries, but the nature of this injury proved even more difficult to deal with.
Draper told Sky Sports from Oslo ahead of the Davis Cup showdown between Great Britain and Norway.
“It’s been a long time, but I’ve learned a lot. It was a very difficult injury for me, but it’s good to be back here.
Draper has played just one match since Wimbledon in July 2025 due to an arm injury caused by bone stress.
“We’re used to going 160mph on the road, so it’s one thing to be floating, but then it takes everything away from the hustle and bustle of the competition.
“You’re kind of in a hole and you have to somehow get out of that hole, especially with a long injury. There was not just one moment, but many times, where it was very, very difficult, not only for me, but also for my team and my family.
“But you have to be strong there and keep going.
“I know I’m so grateful to be living the life I’m living right now, and I’m so motivated for the future. That’s the only thing that’s kept me going. It’s just keeping in mind that I have big visions for myself. I know that time will come again, but I have to be patient.”
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Jessica Pegula previously spoke highly of Draper after the mixed doubles match at the US Open, saying he could compete with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
“Bone stress injuries are not easy to recover from – it’s a long process.”
Draper has managed his schedule more carefully since suffering a shoulder injury a few years ago, reaching the US Open semifinals in 2024 and winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells in March 2025.
The Briton reached a career-high world ranking of No. 4 in June last year, but had his season cut short due to injury as he withdrew after the first round of the US Open and missed the ATP Tour Finals in Turin.
“When I first got it (the latest arm injury), I didn’t know much about bone stress,” he said.
“I had heard it was very tricky to deal with and I didn’t understand it at all, but I quickly realized it was different from something like a bad hamstring or ankle where you know the recovery timetable.
“It’s one of those things where the body naturally moves at the right time, and I had quite a few setbacks and had a really hard time adapting to the load.
“It’s in my left arm and I have to serve at 135 miles per hour. It’s not easy to get it back in good shape.”
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Sky Sports’ Laura Robson once broke Draper’s serve after an arm injury
“Ultimately, you have to recover from the injury, but you also have to recover to a point where you can handle the stress on the tennis court.
“So for me, it’s about hitting a strong forehand and a strong serve. That’s a lot of work and takes a long, long time.
“I know several people who have had the same injury, but it’s a long, drawn-out process and it’s not easy to deal with.”
Despite the nature of the injury and the period away from the sport, Draper is confident it won’t be a concern upon his return and has fully stated that he intends to defend his Indian Wells title in March.
“So I’ve actually made a lot of improvements. Physically I feel amazingly well,” he added.
“I’ve spent a lot of time training and making adjustments, so it’s just a matter of getting my serve back to the level I need it to be.
“Obviously, the reason for the long-term absence is that I’m only 80 or 70 percent back from this injury. I want to come back and do what I have to do to the best of my ability.
“Who knows? (When we might see the best Jack Draper) It could happen soon. It’s possible.
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Robson and Tim Henman discuss British number one Draper’s absence from the US Open due to arm injury
“I’m able to do that because I’ve been training really hard. I think I’m a better player than I was six months ago considering everything I’ve done. All I need is match play.”
“Tennis is a sport based on confidence. The more you compete, the better you play, so it might take me a while to get back to tennis, but I’m really confident.
“I just have to make sure I overcome this injury and move forward strong.”
Overend: Draper’s response excited about his return and future
Jonathan Overend of Sky Sports Tennis:
“For Draper to say he’s a better player now than he was six months ago, considering he’s only played one game, is a testament to the hard work he and the team have put in during this hiatus.”
“His insistence that he didn’t want to come back at 70-80 per cent fitness was telling. By missing Australia he gave himself extra time to make sure he was fit to come back.”
Draper told Sky Sports he plans to defend his Indian Wells title in March despite being out injured for a long time.
“In practice here in Oslo, he certainly looked sharp and was hitting the ball harder than ever.
“As for the future, when I asked when we might see Draper peak this season, ‘There’s no reason it can’t happen soon,’ he said with an excited twinkle in his eye. To be honest, that surprised me. But it made me even more excited.”
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