World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was visibly devastated upon learning that his friend Jack Draper had withdrawn from Wimbledon due to a recurring arm injury. The British No. 1 was forced to pull out of his first-round match against American Taylor Fritz after experiencing pain in the same arm that had sidelined him for seven months.
Draper's Injury Nightmare Returns
Draper had only recently recovered from bone bruising but suffered a relapse on the eve of the Grand Slam. The 24-year-old, who had climbed to world No. 4 before injuries derailed his career, described the withdrawal as 'the absolute worst' moment in a painful 12 months.
In a social media statement, Draper said: 'Devastated to share that I have had to withdraw from my first round match due to a recurrence of my arm injury. There have been a lot of painful moments in the last 12 months but this one is definitely the absolute worst as there is no greater honour for a British player than playing at Wimbledon. I will continue to persevere through this.'
Sinner's Reaction
Sinner, who had just battled through a five-set victory over Miomir Kecmanovic, learned of Draper's withdrawal during a post-match interview with the BBC. His immediate reaction was one of shock: 'Jack Draper pulled out? Here? I didn't know.'
The Italian world No. 1, a close friend of Draper, added: 'Well, tough, I know him well from a personal point of view. It’s tough when you struggle so much physically and he truly loves the sport. I feel like when he’s at his top, he’s one of the best players in the world and he has shown this for years and years now. Having strong injuries, it’s tough to accept, also mentally.'
Draper's Recent Form and Support
Before Wimbledon, Draper had shown promising form at the Eastbourne International, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Frenchman Ugo Humbert. He had also been working with former world No. 1 Sir Andy Murray in preparation for the All England Club championships.
Sinner acknowledged Draper's efforts, saying: 'He has played a very good tournament there in Eastbourne as well. So, yeah it’s a tough one.'
Impact on Draper's Career
Draper's withdrawal marks another setback in a career plagued by physical issues. The British star had only recently returned to competitive tennis after a seven-month layoff due to bone bruising in his arm. The recurrence of the injury raises questions about his long-term fitness and ability to compete at the highest level.
Sinner expressed hope for his friend's recovery: 'But I hope he’s back as soon as possible.'
