Despite still being very young, Jack Draper has already had many injuries during his career. The British player's body struggles to withstand the imposed rhythms of professional tennis and the physical problems have become too many, which is why it is urgent to reflect together with the members of his team.
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Jack had physical problems already during the off-season, not being able to practice as he would have liked and having to slow down on his path to the 2025 Australian Open. Draper had finished very well last season, also reaching his first semifinal in a Grand Slam tournament at the US Open, and had high expectations for this edition of the Happy Slam.
It was immediately evident that he was not in top form, but his resilience and mental strength allowed him to get through the first three rounds after as many very hard battles. Jack arrived exhausted at his round of 16 match against Carlos Alcaraz, world number 3, who is trying to win the only Major title he is still missing.
The British ace resisted only in the first set, before the young Spanish champion began to dominate the match from the beginning of the second set. Draper's mobility was increasingly limited, until the latter opted to retire before the start of the third set.
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Draper on his injury
Speaking to the media, the 2024 US Open semifinalist explained his current physical condition: "The truth is that my body was already exhausted after the last match I played. Today I gave my best, but I realized after a few games that the situation was getting worse. I have tendonitis in my hip, a problem that has been haunting me for some time.
During the off-season this injury caused me back problems and I couldn't even walk, it was very hard. I was very surprised to have made it to the round of 16 here in Melbourne, considering that I hadn't done any preparation."
