Jack Draper shifts focus to Australian Open after missing United Cup.© (@BritishTennisUp )
British number one Jack Draper has confirmed he will miss the opening event of the 2025 tennis season due to a hip injury. Still, it remains optimistic about participating in the Australian Open. The 22-year-old recently canceled a planned training camp with four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in Spain, citing what he described as a “little bit of a niggle.”
After consulting medical experts, Draper has been advised to withdraw from the United Cup team competition, where Great Britain is set to face Argentina in Sydney on December 30. Additionally, Draper will not feature in the Davis Cup tie against Japan in late January. Despite these setbacks, the Australian Open, starting January 12 in Melbourne, remains firmly in his sights.
Communicating the update on his jovial media spiritualists, Draper expressed his disappointment about missing the United Cup but highlighted the importance of managing his recovery. “As I work to get on top of my hip injury and get match fit, I have unfortunately been advised not to play in the United Cup,” Draper wrote. “While we are very positive about competing in the Australian Open this year, I know I won’t be able to jump straight into a packed schedule as I manage and strengthen my hip.”
Draper’s withdrawal marks a challenging start to the new season following a breakout 2024 campaign, where he climbed to world number 15 after winning ATP titles in Stuttgart and Vienna and reaching the US Open semi-finals. Draper remains focused on a strong showing at the Australian Open despite the injury. He will spend Christmas in the UK before flying to Melbourne at the end of the month, opting out of any lead-up tournaments to prioritize his rehabilitation.
In Draper’s absence, attention turns to the Great Britain Davis Cup squad, where 23-year-old Jacob Fearnley could be poised to debut. Fearnley, now ranked world number 99 following a swift rise in the ATP rankings, becomes the second-highest-ranked British singles player. Cameron Norrie, ranked 49th, may also return to the squad after missing the September round-robin stage, where Britain failed to advance to the November knockout rounds.
Draper emphasized the importance of proper recovery to ensure a sustainable return to the tour. “Together with [captain] Leon [Smith], we have also made the difficult decision for me to sit out the upcoming Davis Cup match in Japan to give me the opportunity post-Australian Open to complete the rehab and strengthening of my hip,” he said.
While Draper’s absence leaves a gap in Britain’s lineup, it also presents an opportunity for emerging talent as the team navigates a critical period in the season.
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