British tennis star Jack Draper has pulled out of next week’s Monte Carlo Masters, opting to delay the start of his clay-court season as he manages his recovery from a lingering arm injury.
The 24-year-old, Britain’s top-ranked player, made the decision to prioritize his long-term fitness over an early return to competition. Draper, who has been sidelined for much of the past year due to bone bruising in his left humerus, confirmed he will remain in London to train at the National Tennis Centre. This precautionary step follows a six-month absence from tour-level events in 2025, when the complex injury forced him to stop serving entirely for a month and limited his groundstrokes for weeks.
Draper’s comeback has shown promise but remains tentative. He returned to action recently, reaching the quarter-finals at Indian Wells in just his second tournament back, where he notched a notable victory over Novak Djokovic. However, the arm issue first surfaced during last year’s clay swing, worsening through the grass season and derailing his summer. Draper described the mental toll to Sky Sports, admitting he felt “in a hole” during recovery but now feels ready to build steadily.
By skipping the Monte Carlo Masters, set for April 5-12, Draper aims to sharpen his game without risking a setback. His next potential outing is the Barcelona Open from April 13-19, followed by options like Munich, Hamburg, Geneva, Madrid, or Rome ahead of the French Open starting May 24. Last year, he advanced to the fourth round at Roland Garros before the injury fully impacted him.
Draper’s withdrawal is not isolated. World number four Djokovic cited a shoulder problem after exiting Miami, while Taylor Fritz and Sebastian Korda also pulled out—Korda hampered by a back issue post-Miami. Daniel Altmaier replaces Draper in the draw, with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard filling Korda’s spot.
The move underscores Draper’s patient approach after past setbacks, including a 2023 shoulder problem. Currently ranked around 25th, he seeks to regain his peak form—once as high as world number four—and challenge for titles on clay, a surface where he has yet to claim a tour-level win. Tim Henman noted Draper’s class remains evident, urging consistent building.
Jack Draper has withdrawn from Monte Carlo.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 31, 2026
Hopefully we see him back on the court soon and playing some of his best tennis.
🇬🇧❤️ pic.twitter.com/apoI4htZPn
