Jack Draper has officially withdrawn from the UTS London Grand Final, confirming that his recovery from a persistent arm injury has not progressed far enough for him to return to competition. The 23-year-old British player has been sidelined since the US Open in August, where he was forced to abandon his campaign despite having battled his way into the second round. Earlier in the tournament he had partnered Jessica Pegula to reach the mixed-doubles semi-finals at Flushing Meadows, a run that briefly suggested he was hitting his stride again.
Draper opened the singles event in New York with a confident win over Federico Agustin Gomez, earning himself a spot in the next round against Zizou Bergs. But the optimism surrounding his performance quickly faded when discomfort in his right arm flared up once more. Unable to play through it, Draper made the decision to retire from the tournament, later explaining that the injury had worsened rather than improved during the early rounds.
In the weeks that followed, there was cautious hope that he might stage a swift return in time for the UTS showcase at the Copper Box Arena, where the field will compete for a £1.3million prize pot. Organisers and fans alike had held out for positive news, particularly as Draper had been working intensively behind the scenes to accelerate his rehabilitation. However, the rising star confirmed in a statement that he is still “not quite ready” for the physical demands of elite-level tennis.
“I’ve been doing everything possible to be fit for the UTS,” Draper said. “But unfortunately, I’m just not there yet. It’s a really tough decision because I want nothing more than to be on court, but the advice I’ve been given is to give myself more time. I’m sorry to the fans for letting them down and for having to miss this event.”
This update follows an earlier message Draper shared on social media, where he warned supporters that the injury would likely keep him out for the remainder of the 2025 season. At the time, he explained that resting the arm was the only viable path to recovery. “It’s incredibly hard to accept,” he wrote, “especially because I felt like I was building some unreal momentum this year. I was playing some great tennis. But I’ve dealt with setbacks before, and I always come back stronger. I’m motivated to reach my full potential, and I know that this is part of the journey. Thank you to everyone who continues to believe in me. I can’t wait to return and give everything I’ve got.”
Draper’s promising trajectory has been repeatedly interrupted by physical issues. Earlier this year, a hip injury forced him to withdraw from his fourth-round match against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open, where he trailed 7-5, 6-1 before calling it quits. That problem, which he described as a “ticking time bomb,” required scans and close monitoring due to a history of trouble in the area.
“I had hip tendinitis that needed scans and treatment,” Draper said at the time. “It’s something I’ve dealt with before, and it hasn’t fully disappeared. To stay healthy, I need consistent stretches of training and recovery. Getting my body stable again is the priority so I can build the physical base I need.”
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