Jack Draper withdraws from US Open in heartbreaking decision as statement issued

Jack Draper has withdrawn from the US Open

Jack Draper has withdrawn from the US Open. The British No. 1 had been sidelined by an arm injury and did not play a match between Wimbledon and the US Open. He reached the semi-finals of the new mixed doubles event in Flushing Meadows alongside Jessica Pegula, and then won his first-round singles match against Federico Agustin Gomez on Monday. But the world No. 5, who reached the semi-finals here last year, has now pulled out ahead of his second-round clash with Zizou Bergs, which was due to take place on Thursday. Draper said the discomfort in his arm was still "too much" to compete. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

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US Open organisers announced his withdrawal on social media on Wednesday, writing: "Jack Draper has withdrawn from the Men's Singles event with an injury. Zizou Bergs advances to the third round by walkover." Last year's semi-finalist soon issued a statement of his own, confirming the arm injury was still bothering him. "Hi guys, I’m sorry to say I’ll be withdrawing from the US Upen," he tweeted "I tried my very best to be here and give myself the every chance to play but the discomfort in my arm has become too much and I have to do what is right and look after myself. Thank you for all the support." Sky Sports pundits Laura Robson and Tim Henman confirmed that Draper practised on site in the morning before deciding to pull out of the tournament.

Jack Draper returned from a two-month injury layoff at the US Open before pulling out

"He was on-site this morning, having a practice, and we saw him earlier and it seemed like it was still quite positive. But the practice today, you just know whether it's going to last in a best of five [set match] or not, and it was just too soon," Robson explained. Henman added: "Laura and I actually had breakfast with Jack and James [Trotman, his coach] in the cafe here and he was in good spirits. He was obviously, he must have known that things weren't ideal but he was going to go out on the practice court and give it a go. "But you certainly understand, when you're playing at this level, best-of-five sets, it's got to be pretty close to ideal to be able to go out there, and it's something that he has struggled with for a long time. He had a pretty good workout in that first round, but pretty disappointing that Jack has had to pull out." After beating Gomez 6-4 7-5 6-7(7) 6-2 on Monday, Draper admitted that he almost skipped the US Open altogether. "I wasn't too sure if I was going to make it here this year, but we did a great job with the team since Wimbledon to get myself back on the court," he told the crowd on the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Draper later admitted that he had to "reign in" his serve "to keep the pain down". The world No. 5 returned to competition slightly ahead of schedule - he was given an eight-week timeframe to get back on the court, but made his comeback within seven weeks. Even after winning his opening match, Brit was still unsure on how his arm would hold up during the tournament and beyond. He added: "Taking it day by day. But it's not like I wouldn't play if I didn't believe that I can get to being 100 per cent on what I'm doing. "It's just, there's also no need for me to be going, like, crazy sometimes on it. I mean, I don't really know what to say really on that front. I just have time in front of me. I think I have two days now again till Thursday. It's getting better each time, each day, like, more recovery process." But it wasn't to be for Draper, who will not continue his US Open campaign. It is not known when the Brit will return to competition, but he is currently entered into the ATP 250 event in Chengdu, kicking off on September 17. To be the first to receive the latest tennis news, join our WhatsApp community or newsletter

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