As the 2025 US Open kicks off in Flushing Meadows, British tennis star Jack Draper is stepping onto the court with a mix of determination and caution, ready to face Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez in the first round on August 24, 2025. The 23-year-old, now ranked world No. 5, is carrying the hopes of a nation as Britain’s top male player, but a lingering arm injury remains a shadow over his title ambitions. Despite the setback, Draper’s resolve is unshaken, and his candid admission—“I’m still feeling the effects of a bone injury in my arm”—reveals a player confronting adversity head-on while chasing Grand Slam glory.
Draper’s meteoric rise has been one of the standout stories in tennis. From a world ranking of 82 in early 2023, he surged to No. 5 by 2025, highlighted by a career-defining victory at the Indian Wells Masters earlier this year. His powerful left-handed serve and aggressive baseline game have drawn comparisons to Andy Murray, whose mantle as Britain’s leading man he has now claimed. However, his 2025 season has not been without challenges. A bone stress injury in his left humerus, first noticed during the clay-court season, worsened on the grass courts of Wimbledon, where he suffered a second-round exit to Marin Cilic. “I didn’t hit any serves for about a month,” Draper revealed, underscoring the severity of the issue. The injury, which caused “quite painful” discomfort on forehands and serves, forced him to withdraw from the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open to prioritize recovery.
Despite the setback, Draper is optimistic about his condition. “I don’t feel like I’ll be holding back at all,” he declared, signaling his intent to compete at full intensity against Gomez, a relatively untested opponent ranked outside the top 100. His preparation for the US Open has been unconventional but effective. Unable to play singles, Draper teamed up with American star Jessica Pegula in the revamped mixed doubles event, reaching the semi-finals. “It was kind of perfect for me because I hadn’t had any competition,” he said, noting how the matches helped him regain competitive sharpness. “I definitely feel a lot sharper having played that as opposed to maybe having a training week.” While he moderated his serve in doubles, Draper insists he’s ready to unleash his full arsenal in singles, a critical factor given his reliance on a booming serve to dictate points.
The injury, diagnosed as bone stress and bruising, carries long-term risks if not managed carefully. “It is one of those where, if you keep playing with it, it could become very, very serious,” Draper explained, acknowledging the need for caution. His decision to rest post-Wimbledon was guided by medical advice, ensuring the bone could heal, though he admits, “A bone can heal, but it might be giving me some discomfort.” This transparency highlights his maturity, a trait evident at Wimbledon when he refused to use the injury as an excuse for his loss to Cilic. Now, back on the hard courts—his preferred surface—Draper sees the US Open as a chance to replicate his 2023 semi-final run, where he fell to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
A potential quarter-final rematch with Sinner looms, a daunting yet exciting prospect for Draper, who is also eyeing a spot in the ATP Finals in Turin, where he ranks No. 7 in the Race. “The ATP Finals is definitely something I’ve got my eyes on,” he said, aware that consistency at Flushing Meadows could secure his place among the year’s top eight. Off the court, Draper’s marketability is soaring, with endorsements boosting his profile as Britain’s new tennis hope. His multicultural background—born to a British father and South African mother—adds to his global appeal, though his focus remains on the game.
As he faces Gomez, Draper carries both the weight of expectation and the resilience of a player who has overcome adversity. His journey reflects a delicate balance between pushing his limits and protecting his health, all while chasing a dream that could see him become the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Murray. With his injury managed but not forgotten, Draper’s US Open campaign is a testament to his grit, talent, and unyielding ambition to etch his name in tennis history.
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