Mubadala DC Open: Jack Draper 'physically really good' as former British No 1 set for return from injury
Jack Draper says he feels better than he has at any point in the last 12 months as the former British No 1 prepares to return from injury at this week's DC Open in Washington.
The 24-year-old withdrew from Wimbledon before a first-round meeting with Taylor Fritz after a recurrence of the bone bruising in his left arm, and has accepted a wild card for the tournament which begins on Monday.
"It was really difficult to miss Wimbledon, but it was the right decision," said Draper.
"I've had an incredibly challenging 12 months, a lot of adversity, a lot of problem solving, a lot of pain, and trying to understand that and come through it.
"I've never had a long-term injury before so I feel much better than I ever have in the last year. I feel physically really good.
"I was actually saying to the guys that I feel emotionally and mentally, for a long time, like I've been quite tired because of the process, but I'm starting to get my energy back.
"To be honest, I feel really, really good, and I'm very proud of myself, the way I'm feeling. So happy to be here."
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Draper first stepped away from the tour a year ago with the arm problem and has managed only a handful of tournaments since, with knee and shoulder issues also interrupting his comeback in a run that has cost him all three majors so far in 2026 and seen his ranking slide to 147th in the world.
The left-hander gave his fullest explanation yet of the injury that has undermined his biggest asset.
"The injury I had in my arm, it's a very complex injury," he said. "There's a lot of different things to think about with a bone stress, especially in a sport where I need to hit my serve at 130 miles an hour.
"That's my weapon, I guess, my arm. So when that's causing me a lot of discomfort, it's hard to do what you want to do and to enjoy it as well.
"It's just problem solving in ways. How can I change things? How can I adjust my rackets, my equipment? How can I recover better? How can I just do everything I can to get better?"
Draper has been working with Sir Andy Murray since adding his fellow Briton to his coaching team around his grass-court outing at Eastbourne and the partnership has clearly energised the 24-year-old.
The stakes for the American hard-court swing could hardly be clearer, Draper's ranking drop means he missed the cut for the US Open main draw and is currently set to have to qualify for the major where he reached the semi-finals in 2024.
Draper welcomed Murray to his coaching team around his Eastbourne outing last month, and the early signs of the partnership have clearly energised him.
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"Andy's been an incredible part of my team so far," he said. "He's brought a real calmness. He's got great energy about him.
"I think people are seeing it now more after he's retired, but he's incredibly playful, he always has a lot of fun.
"But he's great because he really believes in me and my tennis and believes that I can go a long, long way in the sport.
"To have one of the biggest idols think like that is something to really be proud of and gives me confidence.
"So yeah, we're on a journey together, and I think there's so many improvements in my game and so much to come."
Watch the DC Open live on Sky Sports from July 27 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
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