Aug 25, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Jack Draper of United Kingdom in action against Federico Agustin Gomez of Argentina in the first round of the men’s singles at the US Open at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre.

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‘I’m Sorry to Let Down Fans’ – Jack Draper Announces Latest Setback Ahead of His Potential Return

Draper’s return has been pushed to early 2026.

World No. 10 Jack Draper has officially delayed his comeback to professional action, owing to another injury setback. The British southpaw was due to return at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) grand final in London this weekend. However, he has now revealed that his arm injury has not fully recovered – meaning that fans will have to wait for an extended period before watching him again.

Currently the top ranked player from his country, the 23-year-old last featured at the 2025 US Open in August. After winning his opening encounter, Draper withdrew from the Round of 64 against Zizou Bergs. Since then, he has been out of tour-level action to recover from the injury suffered on his upper left serving arm.

Britain's Jack Draper has pulled out of the UTS London Grand Final, and will be replaced by Ugo Humbert 🎾 pic.twitter.com/i6XVwOUz0e
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) December 1, 2025

Along with the singles action, the Briton also played the mixed doubles championship at Flushing Meadows alongside Jessica Pegula. While Jack Draper continues to eye a potential January return, his latest update will spring a surprise or two. He opted to play the UTS final which takes place at the Copper Box Arena between December 5-7, 2025. Despite his absence, the event is set to feature multiple Top-20 sensations like Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud.

Jack Draper Sends Message to Fans After Latest Injury Strike

The first signs of concern emerged during the clay court campaign at the mid-point of the season. The niggle was aggravated during Wimbledon, and further scans resulted in Draper not hitting serves for a month. Following the US Open, he was recovering from the injury, before UTS founder Patrick Mouratoglou offered him a wild-card. But after initially accepting the offer, Draper’s comeback hopes have been cut short.

“I’ve been working hard to get ready for the UTS, but frustratingly I’m just not quite ready,” Draper announced in a social media statement. “It’s a tough call as I want nothing more than to compete, but I’ve been advised to take more time. Sorry to let down fans and miss out on the event.”

Injuries are going to happen… we are pushing our bodies to do things they aren’t supposed to in elite sport. We have so many incredible younger guys on the tour right now and I’m proud to be apart of that, however, the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are gonna…
— jack draper (@jackdraper0) October 18, 2025

In early November, Draper posted a clip of himself striking forehands at the National Tennis Centre in London. After this withdrawal, the former Top-5 superstar is scheduled to represent Team Great Britain at the 2026 United Cup in the first week of January. He is then likely to travel from Perth to Melbourne for the 2026 Australian Open.

(Image Credits: Mike Frey, Imagn Images)

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Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.