Jack Draper is nearing his long-awaited return to tennis after his 2025 season was ended early due to injury.
Draper skipped the Australian Open earlier this season, instead choosing to make his comeback at the Davis Cup.
He will return after five months out with a bone stress injury in his left arm, playing Great Britain’s opener against Norway.
Currently ranked 13th on the ATP Tour, Draper takes on Viktor Durasovic in the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Round tie.
The Briton was limited to 39 matches last season, most recently withdrawing in the second round of the US Open in August.
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Jack Draper could reach his best ‘straight away’ in injury comeback
Despite the lengthy layoff and lack of matches, Draper is confident in his level ahead of his return to competitive tennis.
When asked by Sky Sports where in the season he thinks he could reach his best, the 24-year-old replied: “Who knows, it might be straight away.
“I believe I’m a better player than I was six months ago from all the things I’ve been doing, I just need match play.
“Tennis is a confidence sport. It’s a sport where you play better the more you compete. And so it might take me a bit of time to get back into it.
“But I feel really confident, it’s just making sure this injury gets behind me and then I can progress strongly.”
Jack Draper has a ‘big vision’ for his tennis career
Draper was flying high before his unfortunate injury issue, having climbed all the way to fourth in the world rankings.
The British number one clinched three ATP titles, including Indian Wells, having also reached the semifinals of the US Open.
Understandably, he has set his bar very high, which he referenced when asked what the lowest point has been during his lengthy time off.
Draper explained: “Yeah, that’s what I said, it’s one thing staying afloat, because we’re used to being 100 miles an hour on the road, this, this, this, this, this, and then all of a sudden, all of that gets taken away from you.
“The buzz of competing, and you’re kind of like in a hole, and you need to get yourself out of that hole somehow, especially with a long injury with what I’ve had.
“And there’s been not just one moment, but many moments where it’s been very, very difficult, not only myself, but my team and my family. But that’s where you’ve got to stay strong.
“Got to keep on going. I know that I’m very grateful to live the life that I have, and I’m very motivated for the future as well.
“And that’s the one thing that’s kept me going, is to keep in mind that I do have a big vision for myself, and I know that time will come again, but I have to keep on persevering.”
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It will be a welcome sight to see Draper back on the court at the Davis Cup, although Norway haven’t been quite as fortunate ahead of the tie.
Their star player Casper Ruud has withdrawn following the birth of his daughter, which is a huge boost for Great Britain.
Taking place in Oslo, the winner will face either Australia or Ecuador in the Qualifiers 2nd Round in September.
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