British tennis ace Jack Draper has withdrawn from the United Cup to safeguard his hip ahead of the Australian Open. The UK’s top player had previously scrapped a training block with Carlos Alcaraz due to a “little bit of a niggle” in his hip.

Now, the U.S. Open semifinalist has opted out of the post-Christmas team event in Perth and Sydney to be in top shape for Melbourne’s major tournament. Additionally, Draper will skip next month’s Davis Cup tie in Japan to focus on rehabilitating his injury.

On social media, Draper announced: “As I work to get on top of my hip injury and get match fit, I have unfortunately been advised not to play in the United Cup.

“While we are very positive about competing in the Australian Open this year, I know I won’t be able to jump straight into a packed schedule as I manage and strengthen my hip. Gutted as I was really looking forward to playing in the United Cup for the first time.

“Together with Leon, we have also made the difficult decision for me to sit out of the upcoming Davis Cup match in Japan in order to give me the opportunity post-Australian Open to complete the rehab and the strengthening of my hip.”

Katie Boulter leads the British contingent at the United Cup, which includes Lily Miyazaki, Olivia Nicholls, Billy Harris, and Charles Broom. Their team is set to clash with Argentina on December 30 and Alex de Minaur’s Australia on New Year’s Day in Sydney.

Draper, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Sunday, has had a career plagued by injuries. After withdrawing from the 2023 French Open due to a shoulder issue, he expressed his frustration, saying he “hates being the guy who’s injured a lot”.

This recent setback is unrelated to the hip injury he sustained at the beginning of last year. The British No. 1 has climbed to his highest-ever ranking of world No. 15 after securing his first two ATP Tour titles in Stuttgart and Vienna this year. The Australian Open is set to kick off in Melbourne on January 12.

Earlier this month, Draper voiced his disappointment over having to cancel his planned training camp with French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz. “I’ve been working incredibly hard the last couple of weeks to get myself to hopefully improve for next year,” he said.

“I did have a little bit of a niggle in my hip area and in terms of going away to Spain and training at that level of intensity with Carlos I had to make that call because it’s not fair on him if I go and I am not 100 percent.

“It was something that we were really excited about, and something me and (his coach) James (Trotman) had been talking about for a while. To try to go out and hit with the best players in the world and get that exposure to the highest level possible on a regular basis to get prepared for the New Year.”