Jack Draper retires through injury at ATP Winston-Salem, raising doubts over US Open 2023 participation

Jack Draper has retired through injury at the Winston-Salem Open, raising doubts about his US Open participation, which starts on August 28.

Draper lost a first set tie-break against Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor in the second round before deciding he could not continue the match.

The British No. 5 was playing in his first ATP Tour event after almost three months because of a shoulder injury picked up on his main draw debut at the French Open in May.

Draper was forced to miss the grass-court season and his home Grand Slam – Wimbledon – but was set to compete at the US Open in New York.

The last three of Draper’s Grand Slam matches have seen his performances be affected by injury.

After his withdrawal at Roland-Garros, Draper said he “hates being the guy who’s injured a lot”.

Draper, who reached a career-high ranking of 38 in January, has dropped down to 118 in the ATP rankings due to his injury problems.

He made his competitive return at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Winnipeg last week, where he reached the semi-finals.

Speaking ahead of Winston-Salem, Draper said he had to be cautious about his injury going into tournament.

“I think with these sorts of injuries, especially the tendons, you need to be careful with them,” Draper told the ATP Tour’s website.

“It takes time and you have to rehab them properly. I wouldn’t say I am completely out of the woods.

“I have to keep on doing the right things for it and hopefully it will be okay and keep improving week by week.”