Jack Draper has appeared at four events since returning from injury, and looks to be making good progress since the setback.
Draper was sidelined with an arm injury for most of the 2025 season’s second half and made his return at the Davis Cup this year in early February.
The Briton has since featured at the Dubai Tennis Championships, the Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open.
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In Indian Wells, Draper picked up a huge win over Novak Djokovic before exiting the tournament in the quarterfinals, but suffered an opening-round exit in Miami to Reilly Opelka.
As he aims to get back to his very best following his time away from tennis, former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski wants to see him improve one area of his game in particular.
Greg Rusedski rates Jack Draper’s 2026 campaign so far
“For me, the one thing is getting a little bit more power on the serve and a few more aces. So you know, he changed himself to the platform stand, which we talked about,” said Rusedski in an episode of ‘Off Court with Greg‘.
“The accuracy isn’t quite there in the speed, but that’s to be something that is not unusual to happen because he’s been away from the game for seven months. Opelka had 25 aces, he only had seven, so he wasn’t hitting his spots.
“And nobody on the tour wants to play the 6-foot-11 giant, especially with that massive cannon.
Where will Jack Draper be ranked at the end of 2026?
Will he return to the top 10 or are you predicting him to drop down?
“For me, the first three weeks on tour for Jack Draper have been nothing but positives, really optimistic, and if you can keep on getting better week in, week out, you know, for me, he’ll be in the mix to compete with the very best, but can he stay healthy for a full calendar year?
“Please, Jack, no more injuries. I know he’s thinking the same thing. He’s in the mix. I know he’s got a great team of people around him.
“Jamie Delgado is doing a great job. James Trotman before that. If he’s healthy, he’s the real deal. They should be really pleased with his first three weeks back on tour.”
Greg Rusedski is not concerned about Jack Draper’s strength
Rusedski highlighted that Draper does not look as strong as he did prior to his injury, but the 52-year-old is not concerned about that.
He said: “I don’t think it’s about muscles, it’s about electricity and flexibility. A lot of the big servers aren’t big.
“So you look at the guys who’ve had the best careers and gone the longest, you know, let’s take the big four, Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Nadal. The guys who got injured the most were Murray and Nadal.
“The skinny strong, like Federer and Djokovic, had the least amount of injuries, and I think that’s why he’s intentionally lightened his body weight and his upper body to basically take stress off the body, so I think it’s something that’s very clever.
“The way he’s doing it now is saving his arm, but he still hasn’t got the perfect timing on it yet. Once he does, I think the power and accuracy will grow.
“So let’s stay positive. I liked the thinness in Jack. I think for the long term, it’s a good idea. So for me, lots of positives.”
Draper will now get prepared for the clay-court season after the Sunshine Double.
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