British No. 1 Jack Draper to miss 2026 Australian Open with arm injury

Jack Draper has confirmed he will not play at the 2026 Australian Open.

The British No. 1 has struggled with an arm injury since Wimbledon, having played just one singles match since — and he has now announced that the first Grand Slam of the calendar year is slightly too soon.

In a video on X, Draper said: “Unfortunately, me and my team have decided not to head out to Australia this year. It’s a really, really tough decision, with Australia being a Grand Slam, it’s one of the biggest tournaments in our sport.

“I’ve had this injury for a long time and, I’m at the end stages of the process, and to step back on court in best-of-five set tennis so soon just doesn’t feel like the smart decision, right now, for me and my tennis.

“I’ve obviously been through a fair amount of setbacks so far — but by far and away this one’s been the most difficult, the most challenging and complex one that I’ve had.

“It’s weird, it always seems to make me more resilient, make me hungrier, to make me want to become the player I want to become even more. I’m looking forward to getting back out there in 2026 and competing.

“I just want to thank everyone all the support in 2025. It means the world to me to be competing and to be playing out there on the tour with the other guys, and I’m looking forward to doing that again,” added Draper, who is ranked No. 10 in men’s singles worldwide.

The Australian Open’s main draw will begin on Jan. 12.

More to follow….