Jack Draper is setting his sights on a return to competitive tennis, specifically with the aim of contributing to Great Britain’s Davis Cup campaign. The young player, who previously grabbed headlines by clinching the Indian Wells title, has been on the sidelines due to a persistent left arm injury.
In a significant move, Draper has been selected for the British squad that will take on Norway in the First Round Qualifier of the 2026 Davis Cup. The team, helmed by Captain Leon Smith, also features notable players including Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Lloyd Glasspool, and Julian Cash. They will compete against a Norwegian lineup comprised of Casper Ruud, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Viktor Durasovic, Andreja Petrovic, and Lukas Hellum Lilleengen in Oslo over the weekend of February 5-6, 2026. The matches will unfold on the hard courts of the Nadderud Arena.
Just under two weeks ago, Draper announced his withdrawal from the 2026 Australian Open, citing that his recovery was not yet complete. He described his injury as “complex” and “challenging,” indicating that he did not feel it would be prudent to engage in the rigors of a best-of-five-set format while still experiencing discomfort.
In a heartfelt video message shared on social media shortly after Christmas, Draper expressed the difficulty of his decision: “It was a really, really tough decision.” His absence from the Australian Open is notable, particularly as he has played only one singles match since his exiting defeat to Marin Cilic at Wimbledon. Although he participated in the mixed doubles events during the US Open, it was clear that his physical condition was not optimal, particularly when it came to serving and executing overhead shots.
Following a first-round victory over Federico Gomez at the US Open, Draper was forced to concede a walkover to Zizou Bergs in the second round, effectively marking the end of his competitive play for the remainder of the year. Now, however, he is hoping to channel his energy and determination into the Davis Cup, an opportunity that could potentially reignite his career on the international stage.
