Jack Draper has partially blamed Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the serious injury that blighted his 2025 season. The young Brit recently returned to the court at the Davis Cup, representing Team GB in their first qualifying match against Denmark. It marked Draper’s first outing in seven months, having been sidelined with a long-term problem in his left arm.

It forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open, which he had initially earmarked as a potential comeback tournament. He had been suffering from bone edema, which involves excess fluid and blood accumulating in bone marrow due to injury. Draper managed to get through the Davis Cup tie unscathed and is now looking to avoid further setbacks on his road to recovery.

Opening up on his injury struggles after coming off the court, Draper suggested that Alcaraz and Sinner were partly responsible because he had been relentlessly pushing himself to match their lofty standards.

“My goal last year was to reach the level of Carlos and Jannik, and that pushed my body to its limits,” he said. “I tried to hit the ball harder, get free points, and change my game when I wasn’t physically prepared to do so.

“The desire to close the gap with them became a source of stress, so in a way, they’re to blame for my physical problems. During my time off, I’ve learned a lot about myself and done things that will help me improve this year.

“They are the great leaders of tennis and what I want most is to reach their level. I’m going to do everything in my power to achieve that.

“During this period, which I wouldn’t wish on anyone, I’ve learned things on a personal and professional level that I’m convinced will help me become a better tennis player.

“I believe that right now, I’m a more complete and reliable player than I was at my best last year. I saw the injury as an opportunity, and now it’s time to show that I’ve taken advantage of it.”

Draper knows that he will need time to get back to his best level, but the 24-year-old is determined to trouble the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner for titles in the near future.

“The bone needs to regenerate and strengthen little by little,” he added. “The more I play and the more I compete, the more I get used to the strain on my arm that it entails.

“It’s natural to feel some discomfort, but I know it’s time to come back and I’m fully confident that I’ll manage it well.”

Following his return to the court at the Davis Cup last week, Draper announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Rotterdam Open, where he was scheduled to compete.

He remains on course to play at the Dubai Tennis Championships later this month, before travelling to the United States for Indian Wells and the Miami Open.