Jack Draper, the rising star of British tennis, has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Roland Garros tournament due to a knee injury. This unfortunate development marks a significant setback for the 2025 Indian Wells champion, who was hoping to make a strong impression on the clay courts this season.
Draper sustained the injury while competing at the Barcelona Open, prompting him to take a cautious approach to his recovery. On his Instagram account, he shared his disappointment, stating, “My knee is on the mend and I’ve started back hitting balls, but unfortunately, I have been advised not to play Roland Garros. As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five-set tennis on clay.”
The 21-year-old has been hampered by injuries in recent years, including an arm injury that limited his training opportunities. Draper emphasized the importance of taking the necessary time to heal fully, saying, “By giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again.”
His withdrawal from Roland Garros may have implications for his ATP ranking. Currently positioned at number 28, Draper risks losing his spot in the Top 100 as he will forfeit ranking points earned from his impressive runs in Madrid, Rome, and the previous year’s tournament in Paris.
As fans and fellow competitors look ahead to the clay-court season, Draper’s absence will be felt but many hope to see him return stronger and healthier for future tournaments.
