Just days ago, the mood around Jack Draper felt unmistakably hopeful. A casual fan question, a short clip shared online, and a confident reply were enough to spark excitement. “I’ll be playing in Australia, yeah,” the British number one said, sounding every bit like a player ready to turn the page on a frustrating chapter. But tennis, like recovery, rarely follows a straight line.

Draper has played just one singles match since Wimbledon. At the US Open, he was forced to withdraw ahead of his second-round match due to an arm problem. That’s it! He has not played a competitive match since then (Win-Loss record in 2025: 30-9). His fans at the Weybridge Tennis Centre in Surrey got excited as soon as he assured them that he’ll be playing‌ Down Under. But the excitement was cut short when he uploaded a video clip on his X handle, confirming his withdrawal from the first major tournament in 2026.

Jack Draper said, “Unfortunately, me and my team have decided not to head out to Australia this year. It’s a really, really tough decision, obviously, with Australia being a grand slam; it’s one of the biggest tournaments in our sport.” For Draper, the last few months have been a test of patience more than anything else. An arm injury has lingered stubbornly, keeping him away from competition and forcing him into a long, careful rehabilitation process. While the finish line finally seems close, the final step - jumping straight into best-of-five-set tennis - proved to be a risk he wasn’t willing to take.

“However, I’ve had this injury for a long time; I’m at the very, very end stages of the process, and to step back on court into best-of-five-set tennis so soon just doesn’t seem like a smart decision right now for me and my tennis. I’ve obviously been through a fair amount of setbacks so far, but by far and away this one has been the most difficult, the most challenging, the most complex one that I’ve had,” Draper explained.

It’s a choice that reflects maturity rather than fear. After a season shaped by setbacks (winning only one title this season), Jack Draper knows that rushing back for one tournament - even a Grand Slam - could undo months of careful progress. The temptation to return was real, especially after publicly expressing his desire to play in Australia, but caution ultimately won.

However, the 24-year-old Brit, currently ranked tenth in the world, is keen to make a strong comeback in 2026. He added, “It’s weird; it always seems to manage to make me more resilient, to make me hungrier, to make me want to become the player I want to become even more. I’m looking forward to getting back out there in 2026 and competing.”

For now, the Australian Open will go on without one of Britain’s brightest talents. And while the U-turn stings, Draper’s message was clear: this is about the long game. The comeback is coming - just not on a timeline dictated by hope alone.

But American tennis legend Andy Roddick looks a bit concerned with how things have gone for Jack Draper in the last few months. 

Andy Roddick explains why he was ‘disappointed’ with Jack Draper’s performance

For a few electric months, Jack Draper looked like the future knocking loudly on tennis’s most guarded door. The left-hander wasn’t just winning matches - he was making statements. Seeing his incredible performances, in May 2025, Andy Roddick stated, “Jack Draper is a bad man right now. He is just bullying people around the court… He might be the third-best player in the world right now.”

But when Draper was forced to withdraw from the US Open, Roddick couldn’t hide his frustration. “Jack's situation sucks. He reached the semi-final here a year ago and has played well since. I hope he gets healthy. You try not to be negative and fear the worst.”

Later on, when Jack Draper was forced to pull out an early wrap-up to his 2025 season, the American yet again shared his honest thoughts. ”It’s just health. This one disappointed me because he felt like a guy who, through the first four months, with what he did to Carlos at Indian Wells and then playing Madrid on clay and making a final there…” 

Seeing his performances in the first few months, Andy Roddick felt Draper was one of the guys who could actually interrupt the stranglehold. A player with the weapons, the belief, and the results to back it up. Roddick even went as far as placing him in rare air when healthy. “When he is in full flight, he looks the part of someone who is a top three or four player.”

All he now wishes is to see Jack Draper healthy, as he truly believes this young lad is an exciting prospect in the racket sport. What are your thoughts on Draper’s 2025 season? Also, let us know if you think he is a real contender to become the challenger to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance in the near future.

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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