Jack Draper, the British No. 1 in men’s tennis, has officially announced that he will not participate in the 2026 Australian Open due to an ongoing recovery process from a bruised bone in his left arm. The 24-year-old athlete has faced significant injury challenges throughout 2025, managing to play only a single singles match since the Wimbledon tournament.
In a heartfelt message shared via video on X, Draper reflected on his difficult decision, stating, “Unfortunately, me and my team have decided not to head out to Australia this year. It’s a really, really tough decision, with Australia being a Grand Slam, it’s one of the biggest tournaments in our sport.” He emphasized that after enduring this injury for an extended period, he recognizes that returning for the best-of-five set format so soon may not be the wisest choice for his career.
Draper described this injury as the most complex and challenging setback he has experienced to date, adding, “I’ve obviously been through a fair amount of setbacks so far — but by far and away this one’s been the most difficult.” His last competitive match was during the U.S. Open, where he secured a first-round victory over Federico Agustin Gomez, but ultimately withdrew from the tournament afterward due to discomfort and confirmed his decision to step back from play.
Previously, Draper received a diagnosis of a bruised bone following his exit in the second round of Wimbledon at the hands of Marin Cilic. Despite hopes to return to competitive play at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in London last month, he was advised by medical personnel to prolong his recovery time.
Maintaining a positive outlook, Draper mentioned that hardships often fuel his motivation and resilience. “It’s weird, it always seems to make me more resilient, make me hungrier, to make me want to become the player I want to become even more,” he said. Looking ahead, he expressed eagerness to make his comeback in 2026, thanking his supporters for their encouragement throughout a challenging year.
The Australian Open’s main draw is set to commence on January 12, and while Draper will be absent, he remains focused on his long-term recovery and future in professional tennis.
