Jack Draper has admitted he is not yet ready to return to top-level competition and has announced he will withdraw from next month’s Australian Open.
Britain’s number one has played just one match since Wimbledon and is likely to be sidelined for some time, with the 2025 season suspended due to a bone bruise in his left arm.
“Unfortunately, me and my team have decided not to go to Australia this year,” World No. 10 Draper said in a Boxing Day X video.
“This is a really, really difficult decision. Obviously Australia is a Grand Slam, one of the biggest tournaments in our sport.
“However, I have had this injury for a long time and am now in the very final stages of the process, and returning to the court for five-set tennis so soon does not seem like a wise decision for me and my tennis at this time.
“I’ve had my fair share of setbacks in my life, but this was by far the hardest, most challenging, and most complicated setback I’ve ever had.
“It’s strange, but I feel like it always makes me more resilient and makes me even more hungry to be the player I want to be.
“I’m looking forward to coming back and competing in 2026. I’d like to thank everyone for their support in 2025. It means the world to me to go out there and play on tour with other players and I’m looking forward to doing it again. Take care everyone and thank you for your support.”
Draper has been struggling with an arm injury for some time now, but the video came as a surprise two days after he was filmed telling fans he would be playing in Australia.
The 24-year-old has been plagued by serious injuries before, missing six months of the 2023 season with a shoulder injury that required multiple surgeries.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Laura Robson and Tim Henman discuss British No. 1 Draper’s withdrawal from September’s US Open due to arm injury issue
Since then, Draper has managed his schedule more carefully, reaching the US Open semifinals in 2024 and winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells in March of this year.
The Briton reached a career-high world ranking of No. 4 in June, but his season was cut short by injury as he withdrew after the first round of the US Open and missed the ATP Tour Finals in Turin.
Draper was set to return at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown Grand Final in London earlier this month, but followed advice to allow more time for recovery.
By missing the first Grand Slam of the season, which begins in Melbourne on January 18, Draper is now likely to target a February return in time for his Indian Wells title defense in early March.
By watching the 2026 ATP Tour and WTA Tour, live on Sky Sports, and streaming on the NOW and Sky Sports apps, Sky Sports customers will have access to over 50% more live sport this year at no extra cost. Click here for more information.
