Jack Draper Faces Fitness Hurdles Ahead of the Australian Open: “It’s a Day-to-Day Process”

British tennis star Jack Draper remains optimistic about competing at the 2025 Australian Open, but he candidly admitted that his recent hip injury has disrupted his preparations and could impact his performance. The World No. 15, who recently achieved his career-high ATP ranking, expressed uncertainty about his participation in the United Cup, which precedes the Grand Slam tournament.

A Breakthrough Year for Draper

Draper has enjoyed a landmark season in 2024, marking significant milestones in his career. The 22-year-old clinched his maiden ATP titles, triumphing at the ATP 250 Stuttgart Open in June and the ATP 500 Vienna Open in October. Additionally, he reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open, where he was defeated by World No. 1 and eventual champion Jannik Sinner.

These achievements solidified Draper’s status as one of Britain’s brightest tennis talents, but his season was not without setbacks. Injuries have been a recurring challenge, and his latest hip issue has once again tested his resilience.

Disrupted Pre-Season Plans

Draper initially planned to begin his pre-season training alongside Carlos Alcaraz at Juan Carlos Ferrero’s tennis academy in Spain. However, his injury forced a change of plans. Reflecting on his situation, Draper stated, “To be honest, I haven’t been able to train the way I wanted to. My preparation for Australia probably won’t be ideal.”

Despite these setbacks, Draper remains focused on adapting to the challenges. “This is the reality of the sport—you deal with highs and lows. I’m hopeful I’ll be in a good position to perform well in Melbourne,” he said.

The Australian Open, scheduled to start on January 12, will be Draper’s first major test of 2025. However, his season is set to begin earlier at the United Cup, where Great Britain faces Argentina and Australia in the group stage.

Doubts Over United Cup Participation

Draper’s participation in the United Cup, starting December 30, remains uncertain as he continues to monitor his recovery. When asked about his readiness, he replied, “Let’s see how things unfold. It’s a day-to-day process at this point. Tennis is a non-stop cycle with constant tournaments and opportunities, but sometimes, you have to make the right decisions for your body.”

The 22-year-old emphasized the importance of collaboration with his team, saying, “We’ll discuss everything daily as a group and decide what’s best for me.”

Resilience Through Challenges

Draper’s journey in professional tennis has been marked by moments of triumph and adversity. Reflecting on the challenges, he admitted, “In tennis, there’s always frustration. You think you’re performing well, and then a small issue arises, preventing you from doing what you want. But you have to accept this as part of the process.”

Despite the physical and mental demands of the sport, Draper remains determined to embrace both the highs and lows. “As a young player, I’m still learning to navigate these challenges. It’s not always about the results but the daily effort, progress, and passion for what you do,” he added.

A Hopeful Outlook

While injury concerns may cloud Draper’s immediate future, his achievements in 2024 underscore his potential to compete at the highest level. With two ATP titles and a Grand Slam semifinal under his belt, Draper has proven his ability to rise to the occasion.

As the 2025 Australian Open approaches, fans will be watching closely to see if Jack Draper can overcome his fitness challenges and continue his upward trajectory in the tennis world.