Jack Draper has withdrawn from Wimbledon with an arm injury, delivering a fresh blow to British hopes at the grass-court Grand Slam. The world No. 34 pulled out on Tuesday, citing a shoulder problem that has plagued him in recent weeks.
Draper's Withdrawal Confirmed
The 23-year-old British No. 1 made the announcement on social media, saying he was "devastated" to miss the tournament. Draper had been seeded 34th at the All England Club and was expected to be a contender in the men's singles draw.
According to a statement from Draper's management team, the injury is a "shoulder issue" that has not responded to treatment. The decision to withdraw was made after consultation with medical staff and coaches.
Impact on British Hopes
Draper's withdrawal leaves Britain with only one male player in the singles draw: Cameron Norrie, the world No. 12. Norrie will now carry the burden of British hopes on his shoulders, having reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2023.
British tennis fans had high hopes for Draper, who had shown strong form on grass this year, reaching the quarterfinals at Queen's Club. His absence is a significant setback for the home nation.
Injury Concerns
Draper has a history of injury problems, having missed several tournaments in 2024 due to a hip issue. The arm injury is the latest in a series of setbacks that have hampered his progress on the ATP Tour.
"I'm absolutely gutted to be missing Wimbledon this year," Draper said in a statement. "I've been working hard to get fit, but my shoulder just isn't ready. I'll be supporting the other Brits from home."
Reaction from Tennis Community
Fellow British players expressed their disappointment at Draper's withdrawal. Norrie said: "It's tough for Jack. He's a great player and a good friend. I know how much he wanted to play at Wimbledon."
Wimbledon organisers confirmed that Draper's place in the draw will be taken by a lucky loser from the qualifying rounds. The tournament is set to begin on Monday, with the men's singles draw already affected by several high-profile withdrawals due to injury.
