Jack Draper will make his comeback at the DC Open in Washington, entering the tournament as a wild card following his withdrawal from Wimbledon due to a recurrence of bone bruising in his left arm. The injury forced him out of the Championships on the opening day, a day that saw all 10 British players in action suffer defeats. Draper, 24, has struggled with fitness over the past year, managing only a few tournaments since initially stepping away from the tour with the same arm issue. His return to competition was briefly realized at the US Open last year before further setbacks with knee and shoulder problems interrupted his progress.
He competed in one grass-court event at Eastbourne this season, where he confirmed Sir Andy Murray had joined his coaching team. The addition of Murray, a former world number one and three-time Grand Slam champion, has raised expectations around Draper's development. Despite fears of another extended absence, Draper's representatives confirmed his recovery is on track, with a return in Washington expected in about a month. The DC Open begins on July 27 and marks the start of the North American hard-court season, leading into the Masters events in Canada and Cincinnati before the US Open in late August.
The tournament features a strong field, including five of the world's top 10 players: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ben Shelton, Alex De Minaur, Taylor Fritz, and Daniil Medvedev. Draper's participation offers him a chance to regain match rhythm on a surface suited to his aggressive baseline game. All matches at the DC Open, along with the broader ATP and WTA Tours, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis and available for streaming via NOW.
Draper is returning just a month after a setback that could have sidelined him much longer, suggesting the injury management has improved under his new team. His comeback at a competitive ATP 500 event against top-tier opponents means he will face immediate pressure to prove fitness, not just form. With Andy Murray now in his corner, expectations will rise faster than his match count has grown over the past year.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
