Arabic version: جاك درابر ينسحب من ويمبلدون بسبب إصابة متكررة

Britain’s Jack Draper has announced his withdrawal from Wimbledon just a day before his first-round match, citing a long-term arm injury. Draper, who recently reached the semi-finals at Eastbourne, was scheduled to face American sixth seed Taylor Fritz on Centre Court. This injury marks another setback for the 24-year-old, who has struggled with health issues for over a year. According to BBC News, Draper expressed his devastation over the situation, stating that this withdrawal is the ‘absolute worst’ moment in a series of painful experiences over the last year.

Draper’s arm injury has prevented him from competing in three consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, a significant blow particularly as he misses his home major. His recent performances have been limited, with only 15 matches played in the past year due to ongoing issues with a bruised humerus and tendinitis. He had not participated in a major since the 2024 US Open, where he had to retire during the tournament.

The withdrawal follows another injury blow to British tennis, as Emma Raducanu also announced her exit from Wimbledon due to a stress fracture in her right leg. Draper had been hopeful about his return after practicing at Wimbledon over the weekend, but ultimately had to pull out shortly after failing to take to the court on Monday.

Draper, previously ranked as high as fourth in the world, has seen his ranking drop to 130th due to his injuries. His challenges highlight a worrying trend of injuries affecting top players in the sport. Draper, who was once seen as a potential challenger to the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding his career and health after a year filled with setbacks.