Jack Draper: British number 1 voices injury fears ahead of next month’s Australian Open in Melbourne | Tennis News

Jack Draper has revealed his preparations for next month’s Australian Open have been affected by his recent hip injury.

The British No. 1 decided to cancel a week-long training camp with Carlos Alcaraz in Spain at the start of December due to “a minor complaint” in the hip area.

Draper was optimistic the injury would not affect his participation in the first Grand Slam of 2025, but admitted his preparations ahead of his arrival in Melbourne will not be optimal.

“Honestly, I wasn’t able to train the way I wanted to,” Draper said Sky Sports. “My preparation for Australia probably won’t be the best.

“But that’s the situation in sport, you have to deal with the ups and downs – and I hope I do my best to play well there.”

Draper is due to fly to Australia before Christmas and had hoped to begin his season representing Great Britain in the United Cup at the end of the month, but there are doubts over his fitness and participation.

“We’ll see,” Draper said when asked if he would be available for the opening game of the United Cup in Great Britain. “I managed my body and talked to my team. It’s an everyday thing at this stage.”

“Tennis is just a rolling wheel. There is every tournament and it feels so meaningful, every event. And because there are points, there are many possibilities.”

“But sometimes you have to make the right decision, so we discuss it as a team every day, see what’s right for me and yeah, we move on from there.”

Draper’s injury came at the end of a breakthrough year in which he rose from outside the top 60 to 15th in the world rankings.

The 22-year-old’s brilliant run to the US Open semi-finals showcased his talent on the biggest stages, but he admits he still needs time to get used to the rigors of the professional game.

“In tennis there are always frustrations. In any sport there are always frustrations,” Draper added. “You think you’re fine and then you have a problem and you’re not able to do what you want to do. And you have to accept that.”

“You have to accept that amazing things can happen – there are also really difficult moments and as a young player I still have to deal with all of that – and also understand that sometimes it’s not the result that feels great.” It’s not about what you achieve, it’s about achieving something every day, making progress and being able to do what you love to do.”

He continued: “As a young player, I’m still learning to deal with the demands of playing against a lot of these guys week in and week out on the tour.”

“I only played 120 games on the tour. A lot of them have played 400, 500, and I think about how much I’ve improved mentally, physically and emotionally over the last 40 games – that’s a huge difference.”

“Considering I’m so far behind and still capable of achieving what I’ve achieved, I just need more time.”

“I just have to keep doing the things I’m doing, have good people around me, keep the growth mindset that I always have, and I think these problems will work themselves out because I’m doing the right things.” and I want the best for myself, so I think they will work out.

What can you expect from Sky Sports Tennis?

• United Cup with Great Britain – December 27, 2024 – January 5, 2025
• Brisbane International (ATP 250) – December 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
• ASB Classic, Auckland (WTA 250) – December 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025

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