Jack Draper Secures First Tour Win in Over Six Months at Dubai Championships
British tennis star Jack Draper has ended a significant 182-day wait for a tour-level victory, overcoming French qualifier Quentin Halys in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships. The match, which took place on Monday 23 February 2026, saw Draper triumph with a scoreline of 7-6 (10-8), 6-3, marking a crucial step in his comeback from injury.
Draper Unveils Striking New Buzzcut During Comeback Match
In addition to his on-court success, Draper debuted a new buzzcut hairstyle, drawing comparisons to Carlos Alcaraz's accidental trim from the US Open. This fresh look accompanied his return to competitive action after a seven-month layoff due to bone bruising in his left arm, which limited him to just one match since Wimbledon.
The British No 1, ranked 15th globally despite his absence, required one hour and 39 minutes to secure the win against the 68th-ranked Halys. The contest was tightly contested, with Draper saving two set points in a tense first-set tiebreaker before breaking serve midway through the second set to seal the victory.
Emotional Return and Gratitude After Lengthy Injury Struggle
Following the match, Draper expressed his relief and joy at returning to the court. "I've been craving the feeling of competing for a very long time," he said. "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."
He acknowledged the challenges of his recovery, stating, "A lot of people have helped me to get back to this position after a lot of down moments in the last eight months. It's really not been easy to be back here, that's something I can be really proud of and long may it continue."
Technical Adjustments and Coaching Influence on Serve
Draper revealed that his comeback involved intensive training, particularly focusing on his serve. He noted hitting a "sh*tload" of serves over the past eight months to rehabilitate his arm, working with new coach Jamie Delgado to modify parts of his service motion. "It's more serving than I've ever done in the past because I’ve had to get my arm back to being 100 per cent and that takes time," he explained.
This victory in Dubai represents Draper's first ATP win since the US Open in August, where he withdrew after a first-round win against Federico Agustin Gomez. His recent appearance in the Davis Cup, where Great Britain defeated Norway, set the stage for this successful return to individual competition.
