Jack Draper withdrew from the Australian Open due to a serious hand injury

British number one Jack Draper has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Australian Open as he continues his recovery from a long-term hand injury that has severely limited his playing schedule. 10th world number confirmed the decision on Boxing Day via a video message on X (formerly Twitter), ending speculation over whether he would be ready in time for the first Grand Slam of the season, which begins on January 18 in Melbourne.

“Unfortunately, me and my team have decided not to go to Australia this year,” Draper said. “It’s a really, really tough decision, obviously (with) Australia being a Grand Slam, it’s one of the biggest tournaments in our sport.”

“However, I’ve had this injury for a long time, I’m in the very final stages of the process, and to come back to the court so soon in the best tennis in five sets just doesn’t seem like a smart decision for me and my tennis. Obviously I’ve been through a fair amount of setbacks so far, but by far the hardest and hardest, this hall has been the hardest and hardest. I’ve had it, it’s weird, it always makes me more resilient, it makes me even more hungry to become the player that I want to become.

“I’m looking forward to going back there in 2026 and competing. I just want to thank everyone for all the support in 2025. It means the world to me to be competing and playing there on tour with the other guys. I’m looking forward to doing it again. Take care, everyone, and thank you for your support.”

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— Jack Draper (@jackdraper0) December 26, 2025

Draper has played just one singles match since Wimbledon, with a bruised left playing hand that brought his 2025 season to a premature halt. The injury sidelined him for nearly five months.

The decision came as a surprise to some, as Draper was filmed before Christmas at the Weybridge Tennis Center in Surrey, telling fans he was looking forward to competing in Australia. However, medical advice eventually led him and his team to cancel their travel plans. He also pulled out of the Ultimate Tennis Showdown Grand Final in London earlier in December, which was billed as his comeback.

Draper’s last singles match was a first-round victory at the US Open, after which he withdrew before his second round of competition due to worsening discomfort in the hand. The injury was later diagnosed as bone bruising, with symptoms first appearing during a clay swing earlier in the year. He tried to manage the situation and even briefly returned to New York, but Draper soon had to call it a season.

Before the injury, the 24-year-old was enjoying the most successful stretch of his career. In March, he won his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, defeating Holger Run in the final. That run helped him break into the top 10 in the world for the first time and ultimately to a career-high No. 4 in June. He also reached the semifinals of the US Open last year.

By skipping the Australian Open, Draper will not be able to defend the ranking points earned by reaching the fourth round in Melbourne last season, where he won three matches in five sets before retiring against Carlos Alcaraz. The withdrawal also extends a history of injury-related layoffs, including a six-month layoff in 2023 due to multiple shoulder surgeries.

Draper has not set an exact date for his return, but is now likely to aim to return in February, ahead of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March, where he will defend 1,000 ranking points.