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British tennis star Jack Draper’s recurring fitness struggles have once again forced him to the sidelines, drawing scrutiny from former professionals. The 23-year-old, who was tipped to be one of Britain’s brightest prospects, has been hampered by a string of injuries throughout 2025.
Draper’s latest setback came after his withdrawal from the US Open ahead of his second-round match, following earlier withdrawals from the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open. This run of absences follows his surprising Wimbledon exit in the second round to Marin Cilic, a result that raised further questions about his physical resilience.
History of injury setbacks
The left-arm issue currently troubling Jack Draper is far from an isolated case. Over the past few seasons, he has endured persistent shoulder and hip injuries, each one stalling his development at crucial points in the calendar. His talent and powerful game have never been in doubt, but his inability to stay fit is beginning to overshadow his potential.
US veteran questions Jack Draper’s resolve
Jimmy Arias, the 1981 French Open Mixed Doubles Champion, recently weighed in on Draper’s situation during an appearance on the Mitch Michals Podcast. Arias did not hold back in his assessment, suggesting that Jack Draper has gained a reputation for not pushing through manageable pain.
“He is always injured. He feels a little like one of those players, and there are certain players, who if there is pain I don’t play,” Arias said.
The American went on to explain the difference between debilitating injuries and discomfort that elite players are often expected to tolerate.
“It’s hard to go a whole year without having pain at some point. You have got to be able to differentiate between this is a pain that is going to cause me to not be able to play at some point.
“And this is just that I have inflammation and tendonitis and I can play through this for a while. They feel like players that don’t want to play through. I could be wrong, maybe they’ve been really injured, but that’s the feeling you get when it happens that often.”
What lies ahead for Draper
With Jack Draper announcing he will be sidelined for the remainder of 2025, the spotlight is firmly on how he manages his recovery and conditions his body for the future. While many still believe the Brit has the game to compete at the highest level, doubts continue to grow over his durability.
For now, Draper faces the challenge of proving his critics wrong, showing that his career will not be defined by injuries but by his talent and determination.
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