Jack Draper will compete at next week’s Cincinnati Open despite the arm injury concerns that emerged during a tearful defeat at the National Bank Open in Montreal. Sky Sports reported that the 24-year-old Briton has been awarded a wild card for the Masters 1000 event, which gets under way on 13 August.
The Montreal loss, which came against France’s Terence Atmane, was Draper’s first match since June. He has been managing a recurrence of bone bruising in his left arm — the same problem that sidelined him for close to seven months. Draper lost the match 6-3 2-6 6-2.
Tears at the Change of Ends
The most distressing moment came mid-match, as Draper sat in his chair after being broken to fall 4-1 down in the third set and sobbed openly. His serve had been visibly affected throughout the contest.
Watching on Sky Sports, former British No 1 Annabel Croft described the scene as Draper bent over at the changeover, overcome with emotion. She said the display showed how deeply he understood what was happening inside his body, and how much effort he had put into returning to the court.
A Difficult Road Back
Sky Sports also reported that Draper, a former world No 4, had already received a wild card for Montreal after withdrawing late from the DC Open in Washington the previous week. His attempts to build match fitness ahead of the US Open have repeatedly been disrupted by the recurring arm problem.
Prior to Montreal, Draper told Sky Sports he had never dealt with a long-term injury before, and that he felt physically better than he had at any point during the previous year heading into his comeback.
US Open Spot Still in the Balance
Cincinnati now serves as his final preparation opportunity before Flushing Meadows. The US Open begins on 30 August, and Draper would require a wild card into the main draw there too, given his ranking has dropped during his extended absence.
Fellow player Jessica Pegula, who reached the semi-finals in Montreal last year alongside Draper, told Sky Sports she was aware he had been struggling with injuries and hoped he could get healthy and return to full competition.
Cincinnati offers Draper the match time he needs. He arrives having played just one competitive set since June.
This report is based on a single source, skysports.com, and has not been independently verified.
