Leading Injury Expert Questions If Jack Draper Can ‘Tolerate Elite Tennis’ Amid Injury Woes

Jack Draper has not played since handing Tomas Martin Etcheverry a walkover in his opening-round match at the Barcelona Open in April due to a knee injury. He returned to the tour at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February.

Since then, he has played only three tournaments, with his best performance being his quarterfinal appearance at the Indian Wells Masters, where he lost to eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev.

Last year, at the US Open, Draper withdrew before his second-round match due to an arm injury. Amid his injury setbacks, leading injury-prevention and athlete-welfare expert Stephen Smith questioned whether Draper can withstand the demands of elite tennis.

In general, recurring knee tendon-related issues, the challenge isn’t just getting back onto the court once; tendon issues are generally repetitive strain issues- they’re generally a build-up, an accumulation of load and pain, swelling, discomfort.

Stephen Smith told Tennis365

Draper recently announced his withdrawal from the Queen’s Club Championships. But he plans to play the ATP 250 Eastbourne International, which is scheduled to start on June 22.

The real question here is whether Jack Draper can tolerate the density of elite tennis. Consecutive training days, repeated matches, travel, changing surfaces, and recovery demands over time. His team will likely be focusing on restoring repeatability. They won’t just be thinking, ‘Can I get him back for this tournament?’

Jack Draper added

Draper, the winner of three singles titles from seven finals, last won a title at the 2025 Indian Wells by defeating Holger Rune. Last year, Draper played three finals. Apart from Indian Wells, Draper reached the title clashes of the Qatar Open (lost to Andrey Rublev) and the Madrid Open (lost to Casper Ruud).

Andy Murray praises Jack Draper’s quality of play

Because of his physical setbacks, Jack Draper, a former World No.4, has dropped out of the top 100. He currently stands in the 113th spot. And although Draper has not competed since the Barcelona Open, Andy Murray, who is working with Draper as an advisor and a temporary coach, believes his compatriot’s tennis is “bloody good“.

I get to spend a decent amount of time with Jack. I also believe a lot in his tennis. In the sessions I’ve done with him, I’ve been more impressed probably than what I expected. And I thought he was bloody good before I started helping him. He’s a quick learner. He’s got very few holes in his game. He’s a more complete player than probably what I expected as well.

Andy Murray said (H/T: The Guardian)

Prior to joining Draper’s team, Murray worked with his old foe Novak Djokovic for six months last year. The three-time Grand Slam champion, after hanging up his racket at the 2024 Paris Olympics, joined the Serb’s team later that year.

The main draw of Wimbledon starts on June 29. Draper, who made his Grand Slam debut at the 2021 Wimbledon, has made four appearances in his home Major. Last year, he suffered a second-round exit, losing to Marin Cilic. Draper is a one-time Grand Slam semifinalist, reaching the stage in 2024.

At Wimbledon, Jannik Sinner will be competing as the defending champion. He defeated Carlos Alcaraz in four sets last year and stopped him from becoming champion at SW19 for the third consecutive time.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion will not be playing this time because of a wrist injury. Alcaraz also skipped the French Open, where Alexander Zverev emerged as the champion, defeating Flavio Cobolli. He broke the Alcaraz-Sinner duopoly in Majors, winning his career’s first Grand Slam title.

Also read: Andy Murray Reveals Reasons for Accepting Coaching Role Under Jack Draper