Jack Draper has officially withdrawn from the US Open following a first-round win over Federico Agustin Gomez on Monday.
While Draper, who played in the tournament’s all-new mixed doubles event last week, had been scheduled to play his second round match tomorrow, the top-ranked Brit has now withdrawn from the final Grand Slam of the year with an injury.
Draper broke the news himself via social media on Wednesday, writing:
“Hi guys, I’m sorry to say I’ll be withdrawing from the US open. I tried my very best to be here and give myself the every chance to play but the discomfort in my arm has become to much and I have to do what is right and look after myself. Thank you for all the support.”
Draper notably missed both the National Bank Open and the Cincinnati Open with what was diagnosed as a bone bruise in his arm.
While he was able to compete in the mixed doubles, cause for concern began to arise during he and Jessica Pegula’s semifinal clash with Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek last week.
Andrea Petkovic Points Out Draper’s Forehand Struggles
Last week, while Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula were playing Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the US Open’s all-new mixed doubles event, former WTA world No. 9 Andrea Petkovic noticed that Draper appeared to be forcing his backhand shots.
While speaking on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Petkovic explained that she was worried about Draper heading into the first round.
“I am a little bit worried about him. The reason I say that is because in the mixed doubles I called two of Team ‘Dragula’s’ [Draper and Pegula] matches, and in the last one against Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, he was running around his forehand to play backhands. I think he passed after Wimbledon just now because he had problems with his left arm so I am a little worried about him in terms of health.
“I hope it was just that day. I thought it was just me but then Jimmy Arias came after the match and was like ‘was Jack running around his forehand?’ So it was two that noticed it.”
Jack Draper Had Sights Set on Deep Run at US Open
While Jack Draper entered into the US Open after missing back-to-back Masters 1000 tournaments, the ATP world No. 5 was confident about his ability to make a deep run in Flushing Meadows despite the fact that he is still working to return to form.
After a hard-fought opening win over Federico Agustin Gomez, Draper was quoted by PA Media as saying:
“The arm for me is not a question mark. It’s more been my preparation for the tournament, how quickly am I going to be able to get back to playing top level on the hard courts, like I was at the start of the year.
“It was never going to be perfect and match by match I’m going to grow in confidence.”
As Draper went on to explain, if he didn’t think he was capable of a deep run at the US Open, he wouldn’t have entered.
The big question now is whether Draper will return to action for ATP 500 tournaments in Tokyo or China at the end of the month. If not, all eyes will be on the Rolex Shanghai Masters at the start of October, which will be the second to last Masters 1000 of the season.
Jack Draper Withdraws From US Open