Draper’s Close Call: Injury Scare on the Grass Courts!

Jack Draper, the British No. 1, has revealed that he suffered an injury scare during training ahead of the grass court season. Despite the setback, Draper started his campaign at Queen’s Club with a dominant victory.

Draper Triumphs at Queen’s Club Amidst Injury Concerns

Draper commenced his quest to follow in Andy Murray’s footsteps at Queen’s Club, securing a convincing win in his opening match on the court named in honor of the five-time champion. The 23-year-old defeated American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-1, displaying impressive form on the grass.

A Fall on the Practice Court

However, Draper disclosed that he had experienced an injury scare in the lead-up to the tournament. “I feel good now,” he stated. “Last week in training I had a little niggle. I had to have a break for a couple of days to see it through. I was training on the courts here and took a really heavy fall. I was limping around for a day or so, but it wasn’t anything that was going to keep me from playing.”

Praising Andy Murray

Following his victory, Draper humorously acknowledged Andy Murray, who retired last year. “Can’t get rid of this guy,” he joked. “Andy is an unbelievable guy, someone I’m very inspired by and I wouldn’t be where I am without him. I definitely miss him on the Tour. Thank you Andy, this court deserves to be named after you.”

Draper’s Promising Start to the Grass Court Season

Draper’s strong start to the grass court season follows his fourth-round defeat by Alexander Bublik at the French Open. His opening match at Queen’s saw him face Jenson Brooksby, with Draper reaching the quarter-finals at the same event last year.

Avoiding Injury

During his match against Brooksby, Draper narrowly avoided further injury when chasing down an overhead into the advertising hoardings on his first set point. Nonetheless, he secured the set with a powerful forehand. He then finished the match with his eighth ace, celebrating the win by writing “good to be home” on a camera lens.

Looking Ahead

In the second round, Draper is set to face Australian world number 21, Alexei Popyrin.

Jack Draper’s History of Injuries

Jack Draper has faced several injury challenges throughout his promising career.

2023: Shoulder Injury and US Open Concerns

In the lead-up to the 2023 US Open, Draper retired from his second-round match at the Winston-Salem Open due to a shoulder injury. This setback raised concerns about his participation in the US Open, which he ultimately hoped to play. The injury had forced him to miss Wimbledon earlier that year.

Draper acknowledged his frustration with his injury record, stating he “hates being the guy who’s injured a lot”. He had reached a career-high ranking of 38th in January of that year but had since faced numerous physical setbacks.

Cautious Approach

Draper had expressed caution regarding his shoulder injury, emphasizing the need for careful management and rehabilitation. “I think with these sorts of injuries, especially the tendons, you need to be careful with them,” Draper told the ATP Tour website. “It takes time and you have to rehab them properly. I wouldn’t say I am completely out of the woods. I have to keep on doing the right things for it and hopefully, it will be okay and keep improving week by week.”

2024: Hip Injury and Australian Open

In December 2024, Draper withdrew from the United Cup due to a hip injury. He communicated his disappointment on social media, stating, “As I work to get on top of my hip injury and get match fit, I have unfortunately been advised not to play in the United Cup. While we are very positive about competing in the Aus Open this year, I know I won’t be able to jump straight into a packed schedule as I manage and strengthen my hip… gutted as I was really looking forward to play in the United Cup for the first time.”

At the Australian Open in January 2025, Draper retired from his fourth-round match against Carlos Alcaraz due to tendinitis in his hip. He revealed that he had been managing the injury and taking painkillers. “Essentially I had tendinitis in my hip, which I had to get MRI to look at,” said Draper. “I have had a history of problems in that area and it hasn’t gone away. I’m still dealing with that.”

Managing the Injury

Draper admitted that the hip issue had been a “ticking time bomb” and that he was managing it through rehab and painkillers. Despite the setbacks, he remained optimistic about having a consistent year, emphasizing the need to be sensible with his body.

Draper’s Resilience and Determination

Despite a history of injuries, Jack Draper has consistently shown resilience and determination.

US Open Semi-Final

In September 2024, Draper reached his first major semi-final at the US Open, demonstrating his potential on the big stage. Even during his quarter-final victory against Alex de Minaur, he experienced a brief injury scare but managed to continue and win the match.

Overcoming Doubts

Draper has openly discussed the mental challenges of dealing with injuries and setbacks. “I’ve had times when I’ve maybe thought to stop or, ‘Am I cut out for this sport? Am I really good enough?’ And all these sorts of stuff,” Draper revealed. “I kept on believing in myself, kept on working. Those are hard moments. This is not a hard moment compared to that. This is a privilege, and this is an honour to be in this position. This is why I work so hard, so I’ve got to just keep it going in my stride. I’m not afraid of being in these positions.”

Physical Improvements

Draper’s coach, James Trotman, has highlighted the physical improvements Draper has made as a key factor in his recent success. “Jack has played some really high-level tennis matches in the past, but physically it’s been a struggle,” Trotman said. “He’s a big boy, he’s got a big body. It takes time to grow into that. He’s had a lot of injuries and a lot of setbacks, so you’re not banking that consistent work.”

Conclusion

Jack Draper’s recent injury scare serves as a reminder of the physical demands of professional tennis and the challenges players face in maintaining their health and fitness. Despite the setback, Draper’s strong start at Queen’s Club demonstrates his determination and potential for success on the grass court season. His ability to overcome injuries and maintain a positive mindset will be crucial as he aims to build a consistent and successful career.