British tennis number one Jack Draper has postponed his competitive return, withdrawing from this weekend's Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) Grand Final in London due to persistent arm concerns.
The 23-year-old, who has competed in only one singles match since Wimbledon, shared on social media: "I've been pushing to prepare for UTS but unfortunately I'm not fully recovered yet. While I'm desperate to play, medical professionals recommend additional recovery time."
"It's disappointing to miss this opportunity and let down supporters, but health must come first," Draper added.
The left-arm issue first emerged during spring's clay court season. After undergoing scans post-Wimbledon, Draper abstained from serving for four weeks. His attempted comeback at the US Open lasted just two matches before the discomfort resurfaced.
Missed Opportunities
The London event would have provided Draper with valuable match practice against elite competitors including Alex de Minaur, Casper Ruud, and Andrey Rublev through its unique quarter-based format. UTS founder Patrick Mouratoglou, who initially offered Draper a wildcard, had previously cautioned about the risks of premature returns from bone injuries.
Recent training footage showed Draper practicing groundstrokes at London's National Tennis Centre while wearing a protective sleeve on his affected arm. His next anticipated appearance will be representing Great Britain at January's United Cup in Australia, followed by the Australian Open starting January 18th.
Currently ranked 10th globally, Draper achieved his career-high fourth position in June after claiming his maiden Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells earlier this year.
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