Jack Draper to Withdraw from United Cup Due to Hip Injury but Remains Optimistic for Australian Open

New Delhi, Dec 19 (NationPress) Britain's No. 1 male tennis player Jack Draper has confirmed that he will be absent from the United Cup, the 2025 ATP season-opener, as a result of a hip injury. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful about participating in the Australian Open in Melbourne, commencing on January 12.

Draper was slated to represent Great Britain in the United Cup starting December 27. With his hip injury sidelining him from the event, he now has less than a month to prepare for the first Grand Slam of the year.

"As I work to manage my hip injury and regain my match fitness, I have regrettably been advised against competing in the United Cup. While we are quite optimistic about my participation in the Aus Open this year, I understand that I can't immediately jump into a hectic schedule while I focus on strengthening my hip... I am devastated as I was genuinely looking forward to playing in the United Cup for the first time," Draper shared on his Instagram story.

The 22-year-old athlete also mentioned that he will miss the Davis Cup match against Japan at the end of January to ensure he can fully rehabilitate and strengthen his hip following the Australian Open. "Together with Leon, we have also made the challenging choice for me to forgo the upcoming Davis Cup match in Japan to allow me the chance post-Aus Open to complete my rehab and hip strengthening," he elaborated.

Recently, Draper had to cancel a training camp with four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz in Spain this week due to a "minor discomfort".

Draper enjoyed an exceptional 2024 season, capturing the ATP singles titles in Vienna and Stuttgart. He also reached the semifinals of the US Open before being defeated by the eventual champion Jannik Sinner.