Jack Draper pulls out of the US Open after latest injury setback
The British player's withdrawal from the competition means he has now missed all four Grand Slam tournaments this year.
Jack Draper, the former world number four, has pulled out of this year’s US Open as he continues his recovery from injury.
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The 24-year-old is still suffering with a bone bruise in his dominant left arm and has decided he needs more time away from the court.
Draper becomes the latest big name to withdraw from the tournament, with world number one Jannik Sinner also announcing he will miss the event because of a knee injury.
The latest setback will be a major disappointment for Draper, who has now missed all four Grand Slam tournaments this year.
The British star has endured a difficult 12 months, having reached a career-high ranking of fourth in the world last summer before falling to 143rd.
Read more: Jack Draper pulls out of DC Open with arm injury setback
Draper’s problems began after Wimbledon, when he took a seven-month break from the sport, apart from a brief appearance at the US Open where he withdrew before his second-round match.
He had hoped to return to his best this year, but a knee problem emerged in the spring and forced him to miss the French Open.
Draper then made his comeback at Eastbourne before Wimbledon, but further issues with his arm saw him withdraw from his home Grand Slam.
He returned to action in Canada earlier this month, but broke down in tears during his three-set defeat to France’s Terence Atmane.
Another defeat followed in Cincinnati last week, where Draper surrendered the final five games against young Spaniard Martin Landaluce.
Speaking to the Guardian after that match, Draper said: “It’s a difficult place to be right now. It’s got to a point with me where it’s taken probably one of my biggest qualities, my fighting spirit.”
The former US Open semi-finalist has tried to make a number of changes to help with his recovery, including switching his racket and strings, but he and his team have so far been unable to find a solution to the pain.
“I think that’s the toughest part,” he said. “It’s like there are no right answers. You have to figure it out. It’s not as simple as taking time off and it’s going to go because it doesn’t. I’ve tried it.”
Draper’s ranking meant he would have needed to qualify for the tournament in New York unless he was handed a late wild card.
He will now join Sinner and Emma Raducanu in missing the US Open.
Cameron Norrie, who has overtaken Fery to regain the British number one ranking, will be the only seeded British player in the singles draw in New York.