Draper Pulls Out of French Open with Knee Injury
Draper Pulls Out of French Open with Knee Injury
Britain's Jack Draper will miss the clay season and the French Open due to a knee tendon issue, aiming for a comeback in June's grass season.
Britain's Jack Draper has been ruled out for the rest of the clay court season after aggravating a knee tendon problem. The 24-year-old revealed on social media that he will miss Roland Garros and the remaining clay events as he focuses on a careful return.
Draper retired from his one and only clay court match of the season in Barcelona earlier this month because of the tendon issue in his right knee. He then pulled out of back-to-back ATP 1000 tournaments in Madrid and Rome, but expressed optimism that he would be fit for the French Open. "My knee is on the mend and I’ve started back hitting balls but unfortunately I have been advised not to play Roland Garros," Draper posted on Instagram. "As gutting as it is to miss another Slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five set tennis on clay."
The setback comes as part of Draper’s broader comeback from bone bruising in his serving arm, an issue that had kept him off tour since Wimbledon last year (bar one match at the US Open). He explained that he’s been restricting training in order to heal and rebuild, with the aim of returning to peak form for the grass season in June. The French Open, historically a major milestone for many players, will have to wait for Draper as he prioritizes long-term health and future chances on tour.
