Jack Draper Out of French Open: Knee Injury Derails British Star’s Clay Court Season

Just weeks after producing the biggest win of his career against Novak Djokovic, British tennis star Jack Draper has been dealt a devastating blow. The 24-year-old has officially withdrawn from the remainder of the clay court season, including the French Open, due to a persistent tendon issue in his right knee. The announcement, made via his management team, confirms that Draper will not step onto the red dirt of Roland Garros next month, opting instead to rest and rehabilitate in the hope of salvaging the upcoming grass court season.

For a player who looked poised to break into the sport’s elite tier after his stunning run at Indian Wells, this setback is a brutal reminder of the fragility of professional tennis. Draper had been optimistic only a fortnight ago, suggesting he was “confident” of being fit for Paris. However, after consulting with medical specialists in London, the decision was made to shut down his clay campaign entirely. The timing could not be more painful. By the time Draper returns—likely in June at a low-level Challenger event or a grass-court ATP 250—he will almost certainly have fallen outside the world’s top 100, erasing months of hard-fought ranking gains.

The Injury That Won’t Heal: A Tendon Issue on Clay

Draper’s problems began in earnest during his only clay court match of the 2025 season. At the Barcelona Open, he was forced to retire against a lower-ranked opponent after just one set, citing sharp pain in his right knee. Medical scans later revealed a tendon issue that has proven stubbornly resistant to rest and treatment. He subsequently withdrew from the Madrid Open and the Italian Open in Rome—two of the most prestigious ATP 1000 events on the calendar—but continued to hold out hope for a late recovery.

“Jack has been dealing with this since Barcelona,” a source close to the player told us. “He tried everything—ice, physio, even a short break from hitting—but the pain returned every time he tried to push off on the clay. The surface is unforgiving for knee tendons, and the medical team decided that playing Roland Garros could turn a minor issue into a chronic one.”

The decision to skip the French Open is a strategic one, but it comes with significant consequences. Draper will now miss the clay court swing entirely, forfeiting any chance to defend ranking points or build momentum. For a player who relies heavily on explosive movement and a powerful serve, the inability to load his right leg is a fundamental barrier to competing at the highest level.

From Djokovic Scalp to Injury Ward: The Indian Wells High

It feels like a lifetime ago, but just two months ago, Jack Draper was the story of the tennis world. At the Indian Wells Masters in March, he produced a breathtaking performance to defeat 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The 6-4, 6-3 victory was not a fluke—Draper outplayed Djokovic from the baseline, served with venom, and showed a tactical maturity that had long been predicted by pundits. He followed that win with another against a top-20 opponent, reaching the quarter-finals before falling to Carlos Alcaraz in a tight three-setter.

That run propelled Draper to a career-high ranking of No. 48 in the world. His game looked tailor-made for hard courts, but there was genuine excitement about his potential on clay. His heavy topspin forehand and athleticism seemed suited to the slower surface. However, the physical demands of clay—longer rallies, more sliding, and greater stress on the joints—have proven too much for his knee.

“Jack’s game is built on power and movement,” says former British No. 1 and tennis analyst Greg Rusedski. “But that movement comes at a cost. The sliding on clay puts immense torque on the knees. For a player with a history of physical issues, it’s a nightmare. Missing the French Open is the right call, but it’s a massive missed opportunity. He could have been seeded for Wimbledon if he’d had a good clay season.”

Rankings Freefall and the Race to be Fit for Grass

The immediate fallout is brutal. Draper currently sits at No. 52 in the ATP rankings, but without any points from the French Open or the preceding clay events, he will drop sharply. By the time the grass court season begins in mid-June, he is projected to fall outside the top 100—potentially as low as No. 110 or No. 120. This means he will not be seeded at Wimbledon, a tournament where he reached the second round in 2024 and where his big serve and volleying instincts could have made him a dangerous floater.

To put it in perspective: falling outside the top 100 strips a player of automatic entry into most ATP 250 and ATP 500 events. Draper will likely need wildcards to play in the lead-up tournaments such as Queen’s Club in London and Eastbourne. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is expected to support him, but the lack of match rhythm is a serious concern.

• Current ranking: World No. 52
• Projected ranking by June 1: Outside top 100 (approx. 110-120)
• Key missed events: French Open, Madrid Open, Italian Open, Barcelona Open
• Target return: Grass court season (mid-June)

Draper’s team has confirmed that he will not rush back. The focus is on rebuilding strength in the knee tendon, with a target of being fully fit for the Stuttgart Open or the Queen’s Club Championships, which begin in mid-June. However, even if he returns, the lack of competitive matches on clay—where he played just one set all season—means he will be undercooked. “He’s essentially starting from scratch on grass,” says fitness coach Mark Taylor. “You can’t simulate match intensity in practice. He’ll need to manage his load carefully.”

Expert Analysis: Is This a Career-Defining Moment?

Jack Draper has long been hailed as the heir apparent to Andy Murray in British tennis. His lefty serve, raw power, and competitive fire are undeniable. But injuries have repeatedly stalled his progress. A hip problem derailed his 2023 season. A shoulder issue slowed him in early 2024. Now, the knee tendon problem threatens to define his 2025 campaign. The question is no longer about talent—it’s about durability.

“This is a pivotal moment for Jack,” writes senior tennis correspondent Simon Briggs. “He’s not a teenager anymore. At 24, he needs to prove he can stay on the court. The Djokovic win showed he belongs at the top table, but tennis is a sport of consistency. You can’t break through if you’re constantly rehabbing. The grass court season is a lifeline, but it’s also a trap. If he rushes back and re-injures the knee, he could lose the entire summer.”

The silver lining? Draper’s game is arguably better suited to grass than clay. His serve-and-volley instincts, net coverage, and flat backhand will be assets on the faster surface. If he can get three or four matches under his belt before Wimbledon, he could still be a dangerous unseeded player. But the margin for error is razor-thin. One more setback and he risks becoming a “what if” story rather than a top-30 mainstay.

Conclusion: A Bitter Pill, But a Necessary One

Jack Draper’s decision to skip the French Open is the right one, even if it feels like a gut punch. Pushing through a tendon injury on clay could have led to a complete rupture, potentially costing him the entire season—or worse. By prioritizing the grass court season, he is keeping the door open for a summer resurgence. But the clock is ticking. He will enter Wimbledon without a seeding, without match wins on clay, and with a ranking that forces him to play qualifiers or accept wildcards.

For British tennis fans, the hope is that this is a detour, not a dead end. Jack Draper has the weapons to compete with the best in the world. He proved that in Indian Wells. Now, he must prove he can stay healthy long enough to make that talent count. The French Open will go on without him, but the real battle—the battle for his career—is just beginning.

Word to the wise: Keep an eye on Draper’s return at the Nottingham Open or Eastbourne International. If he can win a couple of matches there, the rankings freefall could be stemmed. If not, 2025 will go down as another lost year for one of Britain’s most gifted—and most fragile—tennis talents.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.