World no. 15 Jack Draper should have led Great Britain at the United Cup. However, the Briton will skip the start of the 2025 season due to hip issues, gathering dark clouds ahead of the first Major of the season in Melbourne. 

Draper planned to spend a couple of weeks with Carlos Alcaraz and Flavio Cobolli in Alicante. However, he experienced a hip injury and changed his off-season plans, staying home in Great Britain. The 22-year-old did not want to risk anything ahead of the Australian Open.

He withdrew from the United Cup, taking a couple of more weeks off the court and hoping to get ready for the first big event of the new season. Also, Jack will not compete for Great Britain in the Davis Cup tie against Japan, prioritizing strengthening his hip. 

The young gun emphasized the importance of managing his body after another injury setback, not risking more serious issues around the Australian Open. 

Draper’s 2024 season

The young Briton passed 47 rivals in the season behind us, lifting two ATP titles and wrapping up the year in the top-15. The Sutton native started the action in Adelaide, reaching the final and losing to Jiri Lehecka. Jack fell to Tommy Paul at the Australian Open. 

Draper retired against Alex de Minaur in the Acapulco semi-final and lost ground, scoring one victory at the first three Masters 1000 events. Taylor Fritz beat him in Munich, and Hubert Hurkacz did the same in Madrid. Jack experienced consecutive losses in Rome, Geneva and Roland Garros.

He raised his level on grass and lifted his first ATP trophy in Stuttgart after overpowering Matteo Berrettini. The Briton dethroned Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s in straight sets before losing to an eventual champion, Tommy Paul.

Draper experienced an early Wimbledon loss to Cameron Norrie and fell to Taylor Fritz at the Olympic Games in Paris. The 22-year-old reached the Cincinnati Masters quarter-final, losing to Holger Rune. Jack took charge and presented his A-game at the US Open.  

A left-hander achieved his first Major semi-final without losing a set, moving closer to tennis immortality. He fought for a place in the final against world no. 1 Jannik Sinner and played well in the opening two sets. However, Sinner took them in the closing stages and sealed the deal in three sets.

Jack led Great Britain at the Davis Cup Finals in Manchester, suffering two tight losses to Francisco Cerundolo and Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Sutton native struggled against Ugo Humbert in the ATP 500 Tokyo quarter-final, retiring due to abdomen pain.

Draper missed a month and returned to action at the other ATP 500 tournament in Vienna. The young gun produced his best tennis and lifted his second ATP crown, beating Karen Khachanov in the title clash. Jack ousted Taylor Fritz at the Paris Masters. 

He wrapped up his season in the top-15, hoping to embrace another strong run in 2025 if he keeps the injuries away.