Jack Draper previously said he had been struggling with the arm injury for several months

Jack Draper Withdraws from US Open 2025 with Arm Injury

British number one Jack Draper has been forced to withdraw from the US Open 2025 due to an arm injury, just two days after winning his opening-round match in New York.

The fifth seed, seen as a strong contender for the title following a semi-final run last year, announced his decision shortly after a morning practice session on Wednesday. The 23-year-old was scheduled to face Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the second round.

“I tried my very best to be here and give myself every chance to play, but the discomfort in my arm has become too much,” Draper said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“I have to do what is right and look after myself.”

Background: A Lingering Injury Comes to a Head

Draper has been managing a bruised humerus—the bone connecting shoulder and elbow—in his left serving arm. The issue first surfaced during the clay-court swing in April and worsened over the summer. He missed key events in Canada and Cincinnati to recover.

Though he insisted he was “ready to go” before the tournament, signs of trouble persisted. In his four-set win over Federico Agustin Gomez, Draper wore a compression sleeve and relied more on precision than his usual power on serve.

He also competed in the mixed doubles event last week alongside Jessica Pegula, further testing the injured arm.

On Monday, Draper admitted in a press conference that his recovery had been more challenging than expected but felt optimistic he could manage the pain. However, just 48 hours later, after a final training session at Flushing Meadows, he made the call to withdraw — leaving the grounds looking visibly dejected with his team.

Expert Insight: Bone Injuries Demand Caution

Former world number nine Andrea Petkovic told BBC Radio 5 Live she wasn’t surprised by Draper’s withdrawal.

“Adrenaline can carry you through the first match, but four-set matches take a toll,” she said. “Bone injuries are tricky — they flare up if you return too soon.”

Ranking Ramifications and ATP Finals Doubt

The timing of the withdrawal could have serious consequences for Draper’s season. With 720 points set to fall from his 2024 semi-final run, he is expected to drop out of the ATP top 10. It also puts his ATP Finals qualification in serious doubt unless he can return quickly and compete in the final stretch of the season.

As the British No.1 continues to manage a fragile recovery, his fans and team will hope that this cautious decision now spares him greater problems in the future.