Jack Draper will not be 'holding back' and is ready to return at US Open after suffering arm injury
Updated 24/08/2025 at 09:46 GMT+1
Jack Draper has insisted he will not be holding back at the US Open this year, despite having suffered with an arm injury that kept him out since Wimbledon. The British star suffered a shock exit in the second round at Wimbledon and has not featured in singles action since, only making his return to the match court for the mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows before facing Federico Agustin Gomez.
'My arm was shutting down' - Draper reveals extent of 'painful' bone bruising
Video credit: SNTV
Jack Draper gave an update on his arm ahead of the US Open, saying that he will not be holding back despite being kept out of action for a month and a half.
The British No. 1 has dealt with a bruised humerus on his serving arm for several months and has not played in singles competition since his second-round exit at Wimbledon in July.
The bone bruising meant he missed tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati, which are key warm-up events ahead of the US Open.
"It's an injury which takes time to heal," said left-handed Draper.
"A bone can heal but it might be giving me some discomfort.
"I have been looking after this for a while so I'm looking forward to just getting back competing. I don't feel like I'll be holding back at all."
- Emma Raducanu in 'different state of mind' as Brit prepares for US Open first round under Rafael Nadal's former coach
- Novak Djokovic wants third player to join Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz rivalry - 'There are players able to have that joker spot... I empathise'
Draper made an impressive run to the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows last year, and starts his campaign against Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez.
The injury occurred during the clay-court season, but worsened over grass events during the summer.
He suffered a shock exit at Wimbledon to Marin Cilic and spoke about how he felt his arm "shutting down" during his clash with the veteran.
"I felt like my arm was shutting down a little bit when I was hitting forehands and on the serve," said Draper.
"It got progressively a bit worse. Then on the grass it got quite painful. I didn't know what I was dealing with.
"After the grass, I got it checked out. It is one of those where if you keep playing with it, it could become very, very serious.
"Saying that, it was not so bad because I could do a lot of other things as well physically. It wasn't like I had to stop completely."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/23/image-34dd6189-603d-4487-8d90-10e4773b09c9-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘I would love that’ – Djokovic out to break Sinner-Alcaraz duopoly with US Open victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
After making it to the semi-finals last year, Draper experienced more success in America when he won his first Masters 1000 title at the Indian Wells Open in March.
He followed that up by making it to the final of the Madrid Open where he lost to Casper Ruud.
He reached the quarter-finals of the Italian Open and the semi-finals of the HSBC Championships before his disappointing Wimbledon exit.
Whilst he may not have a fully clean bill of health in New York, another impressive run could see him primed to be the third player that Novak Djokovic hopes emerges to challenge the duopoly of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
His match with Gomez will be his first in singles action since Wimbledon, but he returned to the court this week for the revamped mixed doubles in New York, playing alongside world No. 4 Jessica Pegula.
The pair reached the quarter-finals, and Draper was able to hold back on his serving in order to prepare for the men's draw.
"In tennis, having a month and a half out is quite a long time," he said.
"I definitely feel a lot sharper having played that as opposed to maybe having a training week."
Watch and stream top tennis action live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+w
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement