Jack Draper accidentally turned the air blue in an interview with Sky Sports just minutes after winning his first match for 182 days. The British No.1 enjoyed a victorious return to the ATP Tour by defeating Frenchman Quentin Halys 7-6, 6-3 at the Dubai Tennis Championships. It was Draper’s first competitive outing since August 25 last year, having pulled out of the 2025 US Open in the second round because of an arm injury.

But speaking after beating Halys, world No.15 Draper – sporting his new buzzcut look – seemed to forget the broadcaster’s rules on swearing live on air. The Londoner declared that he has been doing a “s*** load” of serves in practice while spending the last six months out of action. The 24-year-old was ranked fourth in the world before his latest injury curtailed his progress.

Talking to Sky Sports, Draper said: “It feels so good [to be back], honestly. To be out here, to be competing in front of people against a tough opponent today, he was tricky and served great. It could have been cleaner from my side but I haven’t played in a long time on the tour.

“Really proud of the way I came out today. Hopefully I can keep going from strength to strength from here and stay on court. I’ve been craving the feeling of competing for a very, very long time and it just felt normal. It felt like I was coming back to doing what I love, which is being out here competing and having that adrenaline of winning and losing points.

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“A lot of people have helped me to get back to this position after a lot of down moments the last eight months. It’s really not been easy. To be back here is something I can be really proud of and long may it continue.”

Draper was then asked how he has worked on improving his serve with a new service action while out injured, and replied: “Firstly my serve was always a good shot but it could have been more consistent over time. It’s something I looked at in terms of, not only my serve mechanics and the way I’ve been putting a lot of stress on my arm…

“In 2023 I had an injury on my pec and this one I had the bone stress. So I’m always looking at myself and how I can get better and this is one thing. Maybe it’s helped my serve in the long run because not only have I changed this, I’ve hit a s*** load of serves in the last eight months and it’s more serving than I’ve ever done in the past because I have to get my arm back to being 100 per cent and that takes time.”

Draper had revealed pre-match that he has been working on his net play and serving, and has used the time away from the court to “improve my tennis and prepare for the future”.

The defending Indian Wells Masters champion is now in line to face the winner of Fabian Marozsan’s match against Arthur Rinderknech in the round of 16. That match will take place on Wednesday.