Just In: Jack Draper Admits He Hit ‘Rock Bottom’ After Breaking Down in Tears on Court, Delivering an Emotional Message That Left Tennis Fans Deeply Moved
Jack Draper has admitted to hitting rock bottom during a tell-all interview following a dismal 2026 for the British tennis ace. Having reached the semi-final of the US Open in 2024, there were serious suggestions that the UK could have its next tennis superstar.
However, injuries and fitness problems have plagued the London-born hitter, with 2026 having been the worst of the lot. Heading into the US Open later this month, Draper is yet to feature in a Grand Slam of any kind.
Melbourne, Paris and London have all come and gone, with New York representing his final chance to compete in a big one this calendar year. Not ideal by any means for the 24-year-old, who was just starting to find his stride following his breakout performance at Flushing Meadows two years ago.
Hoping to have come through the other side of it now, Draper told The Guardian: “I don’t get emotional often. There was once I got emotional in practice in May when I had really bad knee tendinitis and my arm was really sore as well. I was in so much pain. I was running and my knee [hurt] and my hitting the balls and my arm was sore.
Last week came from a place of, I think I had so much to focus on and manage, so much change going on in my tennis. I got to [No]4 in the world through doing the same things, the consistent work, the differences, and then went through this whole process of a lot of setbacks and a lot of struggle.
“That’s taken a lot out of me. But then at the same time, I’m in a position where I’m having to start again. That reality is difficult sometimes.”
Draper was as high as fifth in the world last June, but has since dropped all the way down to 143rd. As a result, automatic entries to the biggest tournaments are no longer guaranteed, with Draper having needed a wildcard to bag a spot at the Cincinnati Open.
It comes after the three-time ATP title winner broke down in tears during his first-round defeat against Terence Atmane. Reacting to the distressing scenes, he explained: “The reason I got emotional was that through all the challenges, you can forget who you are on the court. And last week I felt like I couldn’t give any more. I was emotional because I didn’t recognise the player I was out on the court due to my injuries and due to probably the way I’ve been feeling for a long time.
“When you reach rock bottom like that you can come back up again. Since then I’ve practised really well, I’ve had amazing support from the people around me and you get to a point more and more of acceptance. We’ve definitely reached that acceptance phase now.”
It’s Martin Landaluce up first in Cincinnati, but much more important than the result for Draper will be putting together a strong run of form and building that fitness back up
