The world number 10, who suffered a left arm injury at Wimbledon, attempted to return at the US Open but played just one match before abandoning his 2025 season.
Meanwhile, Draper signed up to represent Great Britain with Emma Raducanu at the United Cup. Following his United Cup debut, the 24-year-old was set to make his fourth Australian Open appearance.
At the beginning of December, the reigning Indian Wells champion withdrew from UTS London. Last week, rumors started circulating that the Brit might not be ready to return in early 2026. In a video posted earlier this week, he shut down those rumors.
But now the three-time ATP champion uploaded a video message to his X account, announcing his withdrawal from the United Cup and the Australian Open. The former world number 4 said he and his team decided not playing in Australia was the best move for him, also noting he was in the final stages of his recovery.
pic.twitter.com/giFCnLAPVI
— Jack Draper (@jackdraper0) December 26, 2025
What Draper said in a viral video about his participation in the Australian Open?
When asked directly a few days ago if he would play in Australia, Draper immediately said he would.
“I’m going to play in Australia, yeah… It wasn’t the easiest time for me, because I was coming up. I felt like I was in a really good place, right at the top, and then something like this happens and I think you either stand still and let it guide you, or you keep going. And I think, yeah, that’s just a constant wheel, that’s just a constant wave. You know, you’re successful, then you struggle and then you become successful again. But you have to stay mentally busy, so I feel like I did a pretty good job of that,” the world number 10 said a few days ago.
“I’m going to compete in Australia” IN – IN!!!! DRAPER NATION WE’LL BE BACK SOON pic.twitter.com/wUCYgH5H25
— Caitlin (@courtsidewithcp) December 23, 2025
For Great Britain, not having the Indian Wells Masters champion at the United Cup is a huge setback to their chances of making a deep run.
It remains to be seen if Draper will be ready to play again in February.
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