Jack Draper has delayed his start to the new season due to issues concerning a hip injury.
The world No. 15 has pulled out of the upcoming United Cup in Australia, which will begin on December 27th. Draper was set to be the highest-ranked player from his country competing in the mixed team event. His withdrawal comes less than a week after he revealed his hip issue, which has disrupted his off-season preparation. He was due to hold a training block in Spain with Carlos Alcaraz but had to cancel those plans.
“As I work to get on top of my hip injury and get match fit, I have unfortunately been advised not to play in the United Cup,” Draper said in a statement published on Instagram.
“While we are very positive about competing in the Australian Open this year, I know I won’t be able to jump straight into a packed schedule as I manage and strengthen my hip… gutted as I was really looking forward to play in the United Cup for the first time.”
It is unclear if the 22-year-old might consider playing an event the week before the Australian Open, which will begin on January 13th. Auckland and Brisbane are both holding ATP 250 events during that week. Draper is set to play in the Australian Open main draw for only the third time in his career and he has only won one match at the tournament so far. That was last year in the first round against Marcos Giron.
Draper has also taken the decision not to play in Britain’s upcoming Davis Cup clash against Japan in order to fully recover from his hip problem.
“Together with Leon (Smith), we have also made the difficult decision for me to sit out of the upcoming Davis Cup match in Japan in order to give me the opportunity post-Australian Open to complete the rehab and strengthening of my hip,” he said.
Earlier this year, the Brit reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open. He has also won titles in Stuttgart and Vienna, as well as reaching the final of another event in Adelaide. Overall, he achieved a win-loss record of 39-22 with four of those victories being over top 10 opposition.
