Jack Draper has confirmed his withdrawal from yet another exhibition event, this time pulling out of the MGM Macau Tennis Masters, which is scheduled to take place on December 27 and 28. The decision marks another delay in the British No. 1’s long-awaited return to competitive tennis, further fueling concerns about his readiness as the new season approaches.
Draper had initially been expected to make his comeback earlier this month at the UTS London Grand Final. That appearance was anticipated as a positive step forward after an extended absence from the tour. However, just days before the event began, the world No. 10 made the difficult choice to withdraw, citing ongoing physical issues and a need for additional recovery time. His absence from the UTS event already raised questions, and those doubts have only intensified following his latest decision to skip the Macau exhibition.
The MGM Macau Tennis Masters organizers officially announced Draper’s withdrawal on Tuesday through their social media channels. In their statement, they revealed that Draper and Czech player Jakub Mensik would no longer be participating in the 2025 edition of the tournament. Despite the disappointment, organizers also confirmed replacements, stating that France’s Ugo Humbert and China’s Yibing Wu would take their places in the two-day exhibition event.
The tournament features a unique team format led by two iconic figures in tennis, Conchita Martinez and Li Na. With the updated lineup, Humbert will now compete alongside Alexandra Eala and Juncheng Shang on Li Na’s team. Meanwhile, Wu has joined Team Conchita Martinez, where he will partner with rising star Mirra Andreeva and Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The revised squads ensure that the event will still showcase a strong mix of established players and emerging talents, despite Draper’s absence.
As of now, Draper has not released a personal statement addressing his withdrawal from the MGM Macau Tennis Masters. His most recent public comments came earlier this month when he pulled out of the UTS London Grand Final. At that time, the 24-year-old explained that while he had been training intensely in preparation for the tournament, he ultimately felt he was not physically ready to compete. He described the decision as a frustrating one, emphasizing his strong desire to return to the court but acknowledging that medical advice urged him to take additional time to recover. Draper also apologized to fans for missing the event and expressed his disappointment at being unable to participate.
Looking ahead, Draper is still expected to make his next appearance at the United Cup in early January. The mixed-team competition could serve as his official return to action, provided his recovery continues as planned. He is set to represent Great Britain alongside Emma Raducanu, Lloyd Glasspool, and other teammates. Britain has been placed in Group E, where they will face Greece and Japan. Whether Draper will be fully fit by then remains to be seen, but the upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining the trajectory of his early 2026 season.
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