As the 2025 US Open looms on the horizon, British tennis star Jack Draper is radiating confidence, dispelling any doubts about his fitness after a challenging injury layoff. The 23-year-old, now ranked world No. 5, has not played a singles match since Wimbledon, where a painful arm injury forced him to confront a sobering reality. Yet, as he prepares to face Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez in the first round at Flushing Meadows, Draper’s words resonate with determination: “I definitely feel a lot sharper.” His journey back to the hard courts of New York is one of resilience, strategic recovery, and a burning desire to reclaim his place among tennis’s elite.
Draper’s 2025 season has been a tale of triumph and tribulation. Earlier this year, he celebrated a career-defining victory at the Indian Wells Masters, a testament to his growing prowess on hard courts. However, his momentum was halted by a persistent arm injury that began during the clay-court season and worsened on the grass courts of Wimbledon. “I felt like my arm was shutting down a little bit when I was hitting forehands and on the serve,” he revealed. The pain, which he initially downplayed, became “quite painful” during the grass season, leading to a diagnosis of bone stress and bruising in his left humerus. “It is one of those where, if you keep playing with it, it could become very, very serious,” he explained, underscoring the gravity of the injury. Wisely, Draper withdrew from the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open to prioritize recovery, a decision that has now set the stage for his US Open return.
His preparation for the tournament has been unconventional but effective. Unable to compete in singles, Draper partnered with American star Jessica Pegula in the revamped mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows, reaching the semi-finals. The experience proved invaluable, allowing him to shake off competitive rust and reconnect with the electric atmosphere of playing before a crowd. “It was kind of perfect for me because I hadn’t had any competition,” he said. “I think it was a really positive experience for myself, and I definitely feel a lot sharper having played that as opposed to maybe having a training week.” Though he held back on his serve during the doubles matches, Draper insists he’s ready to go full throttle in singles. “I don’t feel like I’ll be holding back at all,” he declared, signaling his intent to compete without reservation.
Draper’s journey reflects both physical and mental growth. At Wimbledon, where he suffered a second-round exit to Marin Cilic, he refused to blame his injury, showcasing the maturity that has propelled him to his career-high ranking. “It wasn’t like I had to stop completely,” he noted, emphasizing that he maintained his physical conditioning during recovery. His return to hard courts, his preferred surface, offers a chance to recapture the form that saw him reach the US Open semi-finals in 2023, where he fell to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. A potential quarter-final clash with Sinner looms again, a matchup that Draper sees as a test of his physical and mental resilience.
Off the court, Draper’s rise has been meteoric. From a world ranking of 82 in early 2023, he has climbed to No. 5, overtaking Andy Murray as Britain’s top male player. His breakthrough year included victories over top players like Botic van de Zandschulp and Alex de Minaur, cementing his status as a contender for major titles. His ambition extends beyond the US Open, with his sights set on qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin, where he currently ranks No. 7 in the Race. “The ATP Finals is definitely something I’ve got my eyes on,” he admitted, acknowledging the consistency required to secure a spot.
Draper’s story is one of calculated risk and unwavering ambition. His decision to rest after Wimbledon, guided by medical advice, has paid dividends, allowing him to return to New York in peak condition. “A bone can heal, but it might be giving me some discomfort,” he said, acknowledging the lingering effects of his injury while emphasizing his commitment to long-term health. As he steps onto the court against Gomez, a relatively untested opponent, Draper carries the weight of expectation but also the freedom of a player rediscovering his love for the game. With his powerful left-handed serve and aggressive baseline play, he’s poised to make a deep run, potentially rewriting his US Open legacy. For Draper, this tournament is not just about overcoming injury—it’s about proving he belongs among the sport’s elite, ready to challenge the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz for tennis supremacy.
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