Jack Draper has received a wild card for the Cincinnati Open despite serious concerns about his physical condition following a heartbreaking first-round defeat in Montreal, where the 24-year-old was visibly overcome with emotion during the match itself.
Draper had been attempting his comeback after a recurrence of bone bruising that sidelined him for close to seven months. His return at the National Bank Open was his first competitive action since June, and it proved deeply difficult. Facing France's Terence Atmane, Draper's serve was clearly compromised throughout, and after being broken to fall 4-1 behind in the third set, he sat in his chair and wept openly during a changeover. He eventually fell 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, commentating for Sky Sports, described the moment as genuinely distressing to witness, noting that Draper appeared to simply erupt with emotion at the changeover. Croft also pointed out that Draper understands his own body and the immense work he has put in just to get back on court, which made the scene all the more painful to watch.
Beyond Cincinnati, Draper's participation at the US Open also hangs in the balance. He would require a wild card for the main draw at Flushing Meadows, and his planned mixed doubles partnership with American Jessica Pegula is now uncertain. Pegula acknowledged publicly that she is aware Draper has been struggling with injuries and that their joint entry is in doubt.
Despite the anxiety surrounding his fitness, the confirmation of his Cincinnati wild card offers some optimism that the Brit can rebuild form heading into the US Open swing. TennisDraw users will be watching closely to see if Draper features in this week's bracket picks for the Masters 1000 event.
