Jack Draper will not set foot on Parisian clay this year. The Briton has officially withdrawn from Roland-Garros due to a right knee tendon injury, bringing a definitive end to his 2026 clay court campaign.
The issue dates back to the Barcelona tournament, where Draper was forced to retire against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third set after aggravating the tendon. Since then, withdrawals have followed in quick succession: Madrid, Rome, and now the French Open. The entire clay swing is lost for the 24-year-old left-hander.
The ranking implications are staggering. A former world number 4 in June 2025, Draper currently sits at 28th and could slide out of the top 100 by month's end, unable to defend points from his Madrid semi-final run last year. This marks the second major setback in less than twelve months, following the arm injury that sidelined him for much of 2025.
Draper has reportedly resumed training and started hitting balls again. His target: full fitness for the grass court season in June, with Stuttgart and Queen's in his sights. Two tournaments where he holds strong credentials, including a title in Stuttgart.
British tennis holds its breath. At 24, Draper possesses immense talent but a body that refuses to keep pace with the demands of the modern tour. The grass-hard court window will be decisive in salvaging a 2026 season derailed by physical setbacks.
