Jack Draper has officially announced his withdrawal from the 2026 Australian Open, a decision driven by his ongoing recovery from a left arm injury that has significantly hampered his season. The talented young British player, who secured a title at Indian Wells earlier this year, shared the news through a heartfelt video, expressing the difficulty of this choice.
Draper acknowledged that, while he is seeing progress in his rehabilitation, the healing process has been intricate and demanding. He emphasized the unwise nature of attempting to compete in best-of-five-set matches while still feeling the effects of his injury. “It was a really, really tough decision,” Draper stated, underlining the significance of prioritizing his health.
Since his early exit from Wimbledon last summer against Marin Cilic, the left-handed star has struggled to find his rhythm on the ATP tour. With only a single singles match played since then, he had briefly participated in mixed doubles at the US Open but was noticeably affected by his condition, particularly with his serve and overhead shots.
His challenges culminated in a walkover against Zizou Bergs in the second round of the US Open, and he has not competed since a first-round victory over Federico Gomez. With the Australian Open’s main draw scheduled to take place from January 18 to February 1, Draper and his team ultimately determined that he is not fit enough to take on the rigors of a Grand Slam event.
This latest withdrawal marks another setback for the promising player, who has been eager to make his mark on the sport. As he continues his recovery, fans and analysts alike are hopeful that Draper will return to form sooner rather than later, ready to showcase his skills on the ATP circuit.
