A day after Jack Draper insisted that his arm was not an issue, he withdrew from the U.S. Open.
The USTA made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon and his second round opponent Zizou Bergs will advance on a walkover.
Draper wrote on X that he withdrew thanks to the left arm injury he’s been dealing with since earlier this year.
“Hi guys, I’m sorry to say I’ll be withdrawing from the US Open,” Draper said. “I tried my very best to be here and give myself the every chance to play but the discomfort in my arm has become to much and I have to do what is right and look after myself. Thank you for all the support.”
Draper had entered the Grand Slam event not having played in more than seven weeks after he was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left humerus.
He defeated Federico Agustin Gomez on Monday in the first round and told the PA News Agency that his arm “is not a question mark.”
“It’s more been my preparation for the tournament, how quickly am I going to be able to get back to playing top level on the hard courts, like I was at the start of the year,” Draper said. “It was never going to be perfect and match by match I’m going to grow in confidence.”
He added: “I’d never enter one of these tournaments if I was here just to play a couple of matches – I wouldn’t play. I’m here to hopefully go a long way in this draw and I believe I can still.”
Draper had entered the tournament ranked fifth in the world.
He hadn’t played since he lost in the second round of Wimbledon against Marin Cilic and skipped playing in Toronto and Cincinnati ahead of the start of the U.S. Open.
Draper expressed optimism that his injury issue was behind him while speaking with LTA ahead of the tournament.
“I’m really looking forward to going out to the US Open, and I’m in a great place personally and tennis-wise. I feel refreshed, motivated, and I can’t wait to get back out there,” he said.
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