Jack Draper, the world No. 7, will miss the rest of the 2025 season with the left-arm injury that forced him to withdraw from the U.S. Open before the second round.
After reaching the mixed doubles semifinals with Jessica Pegula of the United States, the 23-year-old Brit won his first-round singles match in New York against Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez, without serving at full pelt. In his news conference after the win, he said he was “ahead of schedule” for the usual recovery time for such an injury, but Draper then pulled out of his match against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.
In a statement posted to social media on Monday, Draper said: “Hi guys an update from me … Unfortunately, the injury to my arm is something I have to rest, and means I’ll be sitting out the rest of 2025. It is very difficult for me to accept, as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing some great stuff.
“However, I’ve been through this before … And I always come back stronger as I’m so motivated to fulfil my potential as a player. Huge thanks to everyone who backs me to do well and supports me on my journey. Can’t wait to get back out there and give it my all. See you soon!”
Draper will not undergo surgery on the injury, which he described as “bone stress, bone bruising in my humerus on my left side”. He has been managing it since the middle of the clay-court season, in which he reached the final of the Madrid Open, the quarterfinals of the Italian Open and the fourth rounds of the French Open and the Monte Carlo Masters.
Draper, a lefty with a brutal serve and a domineering backhand, has been hampered by injury issues on several occasions. He missed six months of the 2023 season with multiple shoulder injuries and has managed his schedule carefully since, which has produced the best results of his career. After reaching the U.S. Open semifinals last year, Draper won his first ATP Masters 1000 title (one rung below the Grand Slams) in March, at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. He then climbed to a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in June.
Draper is ranked No. 9 in the “Race to Turin,” which accounts for ranking points earned in the 2025 season, but Novak Djokovic’s doubtful participation in the ATP Tour Finals, the season-ending event for the top eight players, means that he would have been in a strong position to qualify. He was also scheduled to play in the lucrative Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia next month, but will no longer be taking part.
Draper’s focus will turn to getting ready for January’s Australian Open and the events leading up to it.
(Photo: Ishika Samant / Getty Images)