Narratives surrounding Draper’s challenges have circulated widely. Despite these setbacks, Draper had managed an impressive recovery earlier this year, convincing many of a promising comeback. However, a recurring arm injury dashed these hopes, leading to the announcement that he will be sidelined for the remainder of 2025.

“Unfortunately, the injury to my arm is something I have to rest, which means I’ll be out for the rest of 2025. It’s very difficult for me to accept as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing exceptionally well,“ Draper stated on his X account.

Draper further expressed: “However, I’ve been through this before, and I always come back stronger because I’m so motivated to fulfill my potential as a player. A huge thank you to everyone who supports and believes in me. I can’t wait to return to the court and give it my all. See you soon!“

Draper’s history with injuries

Draper has faced significant challenges with health issues throughout his career. His latest injury has proven particularly problematic, as it forces him to withdraw from the remaining tournaments this season.

Draper’s shoulder issues, which first surfaced in 2023, have made an unwelcome return. Despite his resilient efforts to stage a comeback, Draper has wisely acknowledged the importance of listening to his body’s signals, a lesson underscored by his stellar 2025 season when he chose to prioritize his long-term health.

Draper’s stats in 2025

While Draper was sidelined for a significant portion of this year’s Grand Slam events, he still produced impressive performances earlier in the season. Despite encountering some tough patches in various tournaments, Draper remains focused on recovery, with an eye toward rejuvenating his career in the upcoming season.

• Win-Loss Record: 30 wins and 9 losses
• Current Ranking: No. 7
• Career High Ranking: No. 4 (achieved on June 9, 2025)
• Titles Won: 1 (ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells)
• Other Notable Results:
  • Runner-up at the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid
  • Reached the semifinals at Queen’s Club
  • Reached the quarterfinals at the Italian Open
  • Reached the fourth round at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros

In 2024, Draper enjoyed a breakthrough year on the ATP circuit, clinching two titles and reaching the semifinals at the US Open. His victorious outings in Stuttgart and Vienna showcased his potential, yet injuries have once again disrupted his progress in 2025, a struggle he candidly addressed in March of this year.

After advancing to the semifinals at Indian Wells, Draper opened up about his ongoing battle with injuries and mental health issues dating back to his childhood. “It was a bit of everything. As a kid, I was always small. Then I grew a lot when I was around 15, 16, and 17. I had a lot of ups and downs, not just physically but also mentally. Sometimes I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue,“ Draper admitted in March 2025.

His withdrawal from the US Open was not without reason. Draper has been contending with a persistent arm injury and has had to make significant adjustments, both mentally and in his approach to the game, to overcome the challenges he faced in the preceding year.

Draper’s reflections on battling injuries

Battling injuries is only part of Draper’s story; his mental resilience has also been tested, compelling him to reconsider and recalibrate his career decisions. Despite being hailed as a top prospect in tennis, the turbulence he has faced required formidable inner strength.

“I really had to work hard for a long time to reach this point. A few years ago, I experienced numerous injuries and was ranked around 40th in the world, but I wasn’t fully dedicated. So I reflected inwardly and thought, ‘If I’m going to do this, then I need to put in a great effort. Accept the ups and downs as they come, look ahead, and stay positive,’“ Draper remarked.

His candid comments have sparked debate among fans, questioning whether his struggles are attributed to his physical build or mental hurdles. While he conveys seriousness in his approach, there seems to be a hint of disconnection in the narrative he portrays.

Lingering injuries from 2023 resurface

The shoulder issues Draper faced in 2023 have resurfaced. Despite his determination to make a comeback, Draper has accepted that he must heed his body’s warnings, a wisdom he embraced even while enjoying a stellar 2025 before choosing to prioritize his health.

Once dubbed “Mr. Injuries,” Draper’s tenacity saw him rebound and achieve great successes. Yet, with his current hiatus, fans express concern over potentially losing a dynamic talent. Draper is reminiscent of the golden era of tennis, bringing back memories of The Big Three’s legendary showdowns. His absence leaves fans longing for the inspirational moments he represents.

On Tuesday, tennis fans reacted with a mix of excitement and surprise as the first 16 teams for the 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship were officially revealed. Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu were a pair that stole headlines.

While many fans were thrilled to see the electric duo of Alcaraz and Raducanu unite, others voiced disappointment that Raducanu had not teamed up with fellow Brit and rising star Jack Draper, currently ranked No. 6 on the ATP Tour.

After winning his opening match at the HSBC Championships on Tuesday, Draper was asked about the decision. “Yeah, I mean, a wise person once told me you should find the best partner, and that’s what she did in Alcaraz. I don’t blame her at all for that,” Draper said.

“Yeah, I think she will have a lot of fun playing with Carlos. He’s obviously the best player in the world, probably right now, along with [Jannik] Sinner. Great at doubles, as well. Saw that with Rafa [Nadal] at the Olympics. She’s gone about and chose the best partner, for sure. Hopefully, they do well,” he explained.

Though fans may have hoped for an all-British dream team, Draper is set for a strong pairing of his own alongside WTA World No. 4 Qinwen Zheng. “Qinwen I know from the tour. I have seen her around. Obviously a great player herself and has a really good game,” he said about his partner.

Alcaraz shared how the partnership with Emma Raducanu came to be

Alcaraz and Raducanu have been respectful of each other for years, and fans have been wanting them to play together for a while. The pair already has a name on social media, “Alcaranu.”

“I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” the Spaniard said after defeating the Australian Adam Walton 6-4, 7-6 in the first round at Queen’s Club. “I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me – I made that special request.”

Alcaraz added that Raducanu was initially hesitant before saying yes, he recounted with a laugh. “She’s going to be the boss,” he said of the 22-year-old. “I’ve known Emma for a really long time and I have a really good relationship with her. We will try to win. But obviously it’s going to be really, really fun.”

The 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship begins August 19 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where all eyes will be on the new partnerships. However, the tournament hasn’t been without controversy. Several established mixed doubles specialists have criticized the decision to exclude them from the initial lineup, arguing they weren’t even offered a wildcard or a chance to compete. Still, despite the pushback, the new format remains in place, at least for now.

In a pre-Roland Garros interview with Sky Sports, Draper reflected on what it’s like being one of the few left-handed players on tour. “People get very paranoid about hitting with someone who is a lefty if they’re playing a righty,” he explained.

“I remember being 340 in the world and I got a wild card into the Miami Open. I wrote my name down for practice, and no one wanted to hit with me. They were all just crossing out my name and putting someone else’s,” said the World No. 5. “I do understand it. It’s probably not what you’re going to face.”

Still, this isn’t something that affects Jack anymore. “I don’t care who I hit with. If I’m getting that ball in front of me, I’m able to hit, get in the groove, it doesn’t really matter,” he said. “Maybe that’s just the mentality I’ve grown up with the fact that not many people want to hit with lefties before tournaments and stuff.”

Other left-handed players on the ATP Tour

Studies estimate that about 10% of the global population is left-handed, and that trend holds in tennis as well. Among the current ATP top 100, there are 12 left-handed players, including not only Jack Draper, but also stars like United States’ Ben Shelton and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov.

After revealing that few players typically choose to practice with lefties, Draper acknowledged that there are some exceptions. “Yeah, whoever is playing Shelton or Shapovalov or someone like that, I know they’ll be asking me for practice. I’m all good,” he said.

Draper breaks down the left-handed advantage

Facing a lefty is a unique experience for most opponents—and often an uncomfortable one. Draper believes that gives him an edge, but he also notes another unexpected advantage. “My biggest strength is probably the fact that I am naturally right-handed,” said Jack. “My backhand is a shot which I’ve always been really confident on. So when right-handers go into my backhand, as well, it feels like a great shot for me.”

And on that rare combination, the World No. 5 offered a candid perspective. “I think I’ve got kind of the best of both worlds almost. I always say people say it’s an advantage. Still trying to figure one out, I suppose,” said Draper, who will make his Roland Garros debut on Monday against Mattia Bellucci.

The Spanish star, currently one of the best players in the world and increasingly a clay-court specialist, asserted his dominance and secured a relatively straightforward 6-4, 6-4 win to reach the semifinals in the Italian capital, where he will face Lorenzo Musetti.

“I lost to a better player,” Draper admitted after the match against Alcaraz, according to the official ATP Tour website. “It hurts a lot, this kind of loss. But Carlos played a really good match and he was the better player. I have to accept that.”

Still, Jack didn’t limit his reflection to Alcaraz’s level of play. “I’m very disappointed with the way I performed, in a way. I think from a mental and emotional point of view, you could say that’s normal, you had a tough four weeks now,” he said, before delivering a strong message. “I don’t want to be normal. I want to be right up there.”

Draper reflects on his recent performances

While reaching the final in Madrid and the quarterfinals in Rome are impressive results that signal a leap forward in his clay-court game, Draper explained that the physical and mental toll of a heavy match schedule may have impacted his level. “I’ve been playing the last four weeks now pretty much,” he explained.

“I’ve been struggling a little bit to maintain my quality all throughout the matches. Today against someone like that, you can’t have those dips in your standards because you get punished,” he added, referring to Alcaraz.

Even so, the British star expressed pride in his recent level. “I’ve been playing some really good stuff. I’m really proud of the way I’ve approached the clay season, especially so far. Obviously good results. Hard to keep on going. But I know that if I want to be a top, top player, I have to be consistent week in, week out.”

Draper’s next target: Roland Garros

Jack Draper is experiencing the best clay season of his professional career, but now faces his biggest challenge yet. “I’m looking forward to going to Roland Garros because I haven’t been able to play very good tennis there in the past,” he explained. “This time hopefully it’s a good opportunity for me to go and really put my game on the court and carry on with the momentum where I left off. Definitely after today I’ll be very hungry to want to show some really good stuff there.”

“I want to take revenge from Indian Wells,” Alcaraz said of the upcoming match against Draper, according to the official ATP Tour website. The comment refers to their most recent meeting, in the semifinals of this year’s Masters 1000 in the California desert, where the British player won in three sets on his way to the title. “I will try to be more ready,” Carlos added.

Still, the Spanish star made it clear how much respect he has for his next opponent. “He’s one of the best players in the world right now,” Alcaraz said of the current World No. 5. “The results show how he good is playing lately… It’s going to be an interesting match to watch and to play.”

What did Draper say about Alcaraz?

Jack Draper reached the quarterfinals of the Rome Open by defeating Luciano Darderi, Vit Kopriva, and Corentin Moutet—none of whom are ranked in the ATP top 40. The matchup with Carlos Alcaraz will be his first major test of the tournament, but he’s confident in his chances. “I feel strong and I feel good about the match. I hope that I can bring some really good tennis,” he said.

“I have big respect for him. I know what he’s going to bring. He’s going to be really tough to beat,” Draper said of Alcaraz. And when asked specifically about how he envisions Wednesday’s match, he added: “I see it as just two guys who are playing great tennis going out there and wanting to win and beat each other and be competitive.”

The Alcaraz–Draper rivalry

So far, Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz have faced each other five times on the ATP Tour. Their most recent encounter was Draper’s victory in the semifinals at Indian Wells, while earlier this year they met in the round of 16 at the Australian Open, where the Spanish star came out on top.

In 2024, Draper also claimed a win in the round of 16 at Queen’s Club in London, while in 2023, Alcaraz earned two victories—at Indian Wells and Swiss Indoors Basel—in what were the first two matches between the two.

These head-to-head results give Alcaraz a slight edge, with three wins in five meetings. However, they have never played each other on clay. While that surface would seemingly favor the Spanish star, Draper had his best-ever clay performance just days ago, reaching the final of the Madrid Open against Casper Ruud. That’s why this match is shaping up to be one of the most compelling showdowns of the week.

Refocused and determined, Sinner is aiming for a strong showing on home soil as he builds momentum for the upcoming 2025 French Open. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, he opened up about his current mindset following the recent setback and shared his goals for the weeks ahead.

During the interview, Sinner singled out Jack Draper as one of the top talents in the game. “To me, Draper is one of the best tennis players in the world right now,” he said. Although Draper fell short in the final against Casper Ruud, who reached a major career milestone with that win, Sinner’s focus remained on the British player as a likely rival in Rome.

As Sinner awaits confirmation of his opponent in the Round of 64, fan anticipation continues to grow. After three months away from competition, all eyes are on whether the top-ranked player can maintain his elite form or if he’ll need time to readjust to the current pace of the ATP Tour.

Sinner opens up about Alcaraz and Zverev ahead of Italian Open

Italian tennis star took a moment to speak about Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev as he prepares for his return to competition at the Italian Open and the upcoming French Open. Sinner revealed that he hadn’t been in contact with either Alcaraz or Zverev during his suspension from tournament play.

“Tennis is such an individual sport, there’s no team, no one really around you. Everyone has their own schedule, their own path. In the end, I didn’t really feel like I was with anyone,” Sinner told reporters in Rome.

He continued: “I felt a bit of support from Jack [Draper], who came to train with me—we’re really good friends. At the beginning of the suspension, I got a few unexpected messages from some players. From others, who I thought might reach out, I heard nothing. But that’s normal, right? Everyone wants to win. So, no video calls or anything like that.”

Sinner awaits first opponent at Italian Open

Sinner will soon face his first opponent in Rome, but he’ll have to wait until Wednesday to learn who it will be. He is set to play the winner of the opening-round match between Argentina’s Mariano Navone and Italy’s Federico Cina.

Casper Ruud captured his first Masters 1000 title by defeating Jack Draper 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to win the Madrid Open on Sunday. The victory not only places him among the favorites for Roland Garros but also results in a significant jump in the ATP rankings for the Norwegian.

The 26-year-old had dropped to World No. 15, the first time he had fallen outside the Top 10 in over a year, but will now rise to World No. 7 after earning 900 points during his triumphant week.

Ruud, now a 13-time champion on the ATP Tour, recorded three Top 10 wins at the same tournament for just the second time in his career. He defeated World No. 4 Taylor Fritz, No. 10 Daniil Medvedev, and No. 6 Draper en route to the title.

Draper, meanwhile, moves up one spot to a career-high World No. 5 following his run to the final. Lorenzo Musetti, who lost to Draper in the semifinals, also climbed two positions to reach No. 9 in the rankings.

Several players saw drops after early exits. Among them were Novak Djokovic, who was eliminated in the Round of 64; Alex de Minaur, who lost to Musetti in the Round of 16; and Holger Rune, who also suffered an early defeat.

Daniil Medvedev, who fell to Ruud in the quarterfinals, has dropped out of the Top 10 and now sits at No. 11. As previously reported, Jannik Sinner will retain the No. 1 spot when he returns in the Masters of Rome, with Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz rounding out the top three.

ATP Rankings Top 10 after 2025 Madrid Mutua Open

Jannik Sinner – 9,730
Alexander Zverev – 8,085
Carlos Alcaraz – 7,850
Taylor Fritz – 4,815
Jack Draper – 4,440
Novak Djokovic – 4,130
Casper Ruud – 3,715
Alex de Minaur – 3,635
Lorenzo Musetti – 3,550
Holger Rune – 3,440

What’s next in the ATP Tour?

The ATP stars will compete in Rome, for the fifth Masters 1000 of the season. So far, all the Masters 1000 have been won by a different player: Jack Draper (Indian Wells), Jakub Mensik (Miami Open), Carlos Alcaraz (Monte Carlo) and Casper Ruud (Madrid).

Leading up to the final, Ruud faced a number of challenges. He was coming off a difficult injury, and just weeks later, he lifted the biggest trophy of his career. His path to the title wasn’t easy, he had to take down top-tier opponents including Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Sebastian Korda to secure his spot in the final.

In a hard-fought match, Ruud triumphed 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to claim his first Masters 1000 crown. Entering the tournament ranked No. 14 in the world, he’s now poised for a significant boost in the ATP rankings. The final was a battle from start to finish against Draper, but Ruud held his nerve and now sets his sights on his next challenge: the 2025 Italian Open in Rome.

Fueled by the momentum of his Madrid victory, Ruud heads to Rome with confidence and high expectations. The tournament kicks off this week, and following his performance in Spain, he could emerge as a serious contender. His title in Madrid also marked a historic milestone, no other player from Norway has achieved a feat like this on the ATP Tour.

Ruud makes history with first Masters 1000 title

Ruud etched his name in the history books by becoming the first Norwegian player to win an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, defeating Draper in the final of the Madrid Open. The victory marks a major milestone in Ruud’s career and could serve as a crucial confidence boost as he prepares for upcoming challenges on the ATP Tour.

With this triumph, Ruud has cemented his status as a serious contender on the men’s circuit. His peers now view him as a formidable opponent in every tournament. Next up is the Rome Masters, where the newly crowned champion will aim to keep his momentum going as competitors look to deny him back-to-back titles.

Casper Ruud’s career stats

While the Madrid title is Ruud’s first at the Masters 1000 level, his résumé already includes an impressive collection of accomplishments. He has reached multiple finals on the biggest stages and consistently performed among the sport’s elite. Here’s a breakdown of his career highlights so far:

• Career titles: 13 (including his first Masters 1000 title at Madrid Open 2025)
• Career finals record: 13 wins – 12 losses
• Masters 1000 Finals: 1 win – 2 losses (Champion in Madrid 2025; Runner-up in Miami 2022 and Monte Carlo 2024)
• Grand Slam Finals: 0 wins – 3 losses (Runner-up at French Open 2022, US Open 2022, and French Open 2023)
• ATP Finals: 0 wins – 1 loss (Runner-up in 2022)

“I feel good,” said Ruud, according to the official ATP Tour website. “To be back in a Masters 1000 final feels great. It’s not every day you get to play for these titles,” he explained, having previously reached the finals in Miami 2022 and Monte-Carlo 2024. “I’ve been in two finals before and lost both, so hopefully there will be another third time is a charm.”

However, the Norwegian made an important clarification. “If you look at this year, I haven’t played as good as I did in 2024, and I’m back in another final, so I’m coming in with a little different scenario here,” he said. “I came into Monte-Carlo final playing a lot of good tennis prior to that final, and I ended up losing.”

With that experience behind him, Casper now approaches this new opportunity with a different mindset. “If I was to win, which of course I hope and I will try my best to do, it will be kind of ironic that I had a much better beginning of 2024 leading up to Monte-Carlo than I’ve had this year,” he explained. “Hopefully I can just win it this time and just think ‘third time lucky.’”

Draper reflects on his current form

Draper‘s situation is quite different from Ruud’s. The British player is in the best form of his career and already claimed the Indian Wells Masters 1000 title earlier this year. Now, he has a chance to add another trophy to his resume—along with key ranking points.

Ahead of Sunday’s final, Jack reflected on the path that brought him here and how his game has evolved in recent times. “I think I got to 50 in the world by sort of counter punching and being defensive,” he said, according to the official ATP Tour website.

“Then I was in a bit of a crisis last year, thinking like, ‘Where’s my game going to go, what do I need to change?’ Then I did certain things, and I tried to maybe go the opposite end of the spectrum and try and hit every ball as hard as I can and return up the court and do all these things,” Draper explained. “But it didn’t really work, that experiment.”

Now, the British star has a clearer understanding of his ideal playing style. “What was important was that I learn how to be defensive and do all those things, but also attack when I need to attack. So I think I’ve got the balance a lot better now,” he said. “I’m a big guy, but I’m not just a guy who hits big serves and can hit a big winner, I can do everything on the court, and that’s I think what all the top players are able to do.”

Draper and Ruud have a lot at stake in Madrid

There’s more on the line this Sunday than just the Madrid Open title. For Ruud, it’s a chance to claim the biggest trophy of his career. He has been runner-up in two Masters 1000 events and three Grand Slams but has yet to win one. Regardless of the result, he will return to the ATP top 10 next week—but a win could boost him as high as No. 7.

Thanks to his strong performances, Draper will surpass Novak Djokovic in the rankings and break into the world’s top five for the first time in his career. But that’s not all: if he defeats Ruud in the final, Jack will become the third player born in the 2000s to earn tour-level titles on hard, clay, and grass—joining Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

“To get this win on this court in this stage, semi-finals, it means so much to me,” Draper said after the match, according to the official ATP Tour website. For the British player, this will be his third final of the year, after losing to Andrey Rublev in Doha and winning the Indian Wells Masters 1000 by defeating Holger Rune.

“Credit to Lorenzo, he’s obviously playing so good on the clay,” said Jack about Musetti. “I played him on hard, and on grass when we were juniors, growing up with him. But on clay, he’s a different beast… I felt like both of us, our quality didn’t really drop from the first ball.”

Key points for Draper

For Draper, this win not only brings him closer to a second title in 2025, but also earns him crucial points for multiple goals. On one hand, considering he was eliminated in the round of 64 at the Madrid Open in 2024, this performance will significantly boost his ATP ranking.

But that’s not all. With a spot in the Madrid final, Jack also overtook Alexander Zverev in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. Now the British star sits in second place, behind only Carlos Alcaraz, and is steadily solidifying his position for the Nitto ATP Finals set to take place in November.

A special final for Casper Ruud too

While Jack Draper heads into Sunday’s final as the clear favorite to win the Madrid Open, he cannot afford to underestimate Casper Ruud. The Norwegian earned his place in the title match by defeating the Argentine Francisco Cerundolo and now has a major opportunity in his career.

He dropped out of the ATP top ten this week, falling from 10th to 15th place. However, his performance in Spain will bring him back to at least his previous spot, and potentially as high as 7th or 8th if he claims the title.

Moreover, this final represents a chance for Ruud to capture his first major tournament. Though he has 12 career titles, including the 2024 Barcelona Open, all of them have come at the ATP 250 or ATP 500 level. That’s why Sunday’s Madrid Masters 1000 final carries enormous importance for him.

Physical issues for Ruud in the semifinal

After his win over Cerundolo, Casper Ruud spoke with the media and admitted he experienced physical discomfort prior to the semifinal. “I felt something in my rib during warm-up, right before going out, and I felt it on almost every single shot, especially the serve,” he said.

“I got a couple of pain-killers—not the ideal thing, but in a situation like this you have to do that every now and then, and I was able to just try to play one game at a time, really,” Ruud explained. “I’m going to get it checked out now and hopefully it’s nothing too bad.”