Jack Draper will miss the Australian Open because of arm injury
In early December, world number 10 Draper withdrew from the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) grand final in London, citing frustration at not being “fully ready”.
Draper first felt discomfort in her upper left serving arm during the spring clay-court season, and while attempting to return to the US Open in late August (playing with Jessica Pegula in mixed doubles and winning her first round match in singles), she withdrew from the tournament due to discomfort.
He continued: “Obviously with Australia being a Grand Slam, this is one of the biggest tournaments in our sport.
“But I have had this injury for a long time. I am in the last stage of the season. [recovery] Coming back from this process and getting back to my best five-set tennis performance so quickly does not seem like a wise decision for me and my tennis right now.
“Obviously I’ve had quite a few setbacks, but this was the hardest, most challenging, most complicated one I’ve ever experienced.”
Draper had a strong first half of the year, reaching a career-high world ranking of fourth in June, and also captured his first Masters 1000 title by beating Denmark’s Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final in March.
