Tennis has a ruthless way of reminding players how quickly everything can change. One moment, you’re climbing toward the summit, collecting trophies and rewriting expectations. The next, you’re sidelined, watching the tour move on without you. Jack Draper was flying in 2025 - until everything stopped. Injuries cut short his stellar run at the start of this season, forcing the British number one into an extended absence. Now, with the 2026 season on the horizon, Draper has finally revealed when fans can expect to see him back.

Other than winning his first Masters 1000 title at the Indian Wells, Draper also reached the finals in Doha and Madrid. As a result of his impressive run in the early phases of this season, he jumped to number 4 in the rankings. But then, a left arm injury derailed what had been shaping up to be a breakthrough season. Now, the Brit (currently ranked 10th in the world) looks forward to making a strong comeback in 2026. And he couldn’t have picked a better stage to do that. 

Earlier this month, Jack Draper withdrew his name from the Ultimate Tennis Showdown, citing that he has been advised to take more time, as he felt he wasn’t quite ready. Ever since his withdrawal, everyone wondered if he’d be seen in action in Melbourne or not. Well, here’s the answer. In a video posted on X by Courtside with CP, the Brit was asked by a fan about his comeback plans. Replying to that, Draper confirmed, “I’ll be playing in Australia, yeah.”

The words triggered instant applause from those around him - a small but powerful reminder of how eagerly his return is awaited. Yet Draper didn’t stop there. He opened a window into the mental battle that accompanied his physical recovery, offering a rare glimpse into what it feels like to climb fast, only to be pulled back by forces beyond your control. 

“It’s not been the easiest time for me because I was coming up, I was feeling like I was in a really good place right at the top, and then something like this happens, and I guess you either stand still and let it get the best of you or you keep on going,” Jack Draper added.

Draper had a win-loss record of 30-9 this season. For a player who thrives on rhythm and momentum, the interruption was jarring. Numbers could’ve been better if he were fully fit throughout the season. But Draper framed the setback not as an ending but rather as part of an unavoidable cycle.

“And I think, yeah, that’s just a constant wheel, that’s just a constant wave. You know, you’re successful, then you’re going to struggle, and then you get successful again. But you have to keep at it mentally, so I feel like I’ve done that pretty well,” said Jack Draper.

For British tennis, the confirmation is significant. Draper’s explosive rise in early 2025 had sparked hopes of a new era, one built on power, resilience, and belief. His return at the 2026 Australian Open doesn’t just signal a comeback - it represents a reset.

The tennis world has full confidence in Jack Draper’s immense potential

Jack Draper’s 2025 season didn’t end with fireworks - it ended with silence. But silence, in tennis, doesn’t always mean absence. For Draper, it meant a pause in a story that had already convinced legends. Coaches and former champions, British tennis had found something special.

While discussing Draper’s return to the ATP Tour on the AO website, tennis legend Tim Henman said, “Can anyone really come into the [Alcaraz-Sinner] conversation? Right now, I don’t see it.[But] a year is a long time in life and certainly in sport. And the one person I would love to be in that conversation is Jack Draper again. Because there’s no doubt in the first half of 2025, he was in the conversation, the way that he beat Alcaraz in Indian Wells, and he made the final in Madrid. He was playing great tennis. So we’ve got to be patient. It will take him time to get matches under his belt and that match fitness.”

Even Jim Courier rates this Brit quite highly. According to Courier, “I’m going to put my money down on Jack Draper… If he’s healthy, as he’s shown us at Indian Wells, he can play with the big boys. He’s got big weapons with his leftie serve, his forehand is massive, he just needs health.”

But that’s not all! Few coaches understand potential better than Patrick Mouratoglou, and his assessment of Jack Draper feels almost definitive. Speaking to ITV, the Frenchman didn’t hesitate. “I’ve said it several years ago; I think if Jack is able to stay injury-free, he’s a top five [player] for sure. He’s potentially someone who can compete with Alcaraz and Sinner. He definitely has everything. I think he has the mind, which is the most important. He’s an incredible competitor, I think he’s very ambitious, and he’s smart. I really like him a lot, and I think he has a big game. He also had a lot of power.”

Perhaps the most telling statistic of all is this: despite being out of action for quite a while, Draper still found himself inside the Top 10. As Draper prepares for his full return to the Tour, the narrative feels less like a comeback story and more like a continuation pause mid-sentence. Can he deliver in 2026? Share your thoughts on this in the comment box.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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