Jack Draper issues eight-word statement to British Davis Cup teammates after being ruled out

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Britain’s Jack Draper has missed Great Britain’s opening Davis Cup encounter against Finland after injury concerns over his thigh.

The US Open semi-finalist, Jack Draper only arrived at the Manchester Regional Tennis Centre, where Britain’s opening Davis Cup clash is set to take place, on Tuesday after his gruelling but impressive exploits in New York.

Having got on court for the first time since, captain Leon Smith has rested the new world number 20 after what’s been a ruthless fortnight in New York.

Suffering from the heat, nausea, and a thigh injury at Flushing Meadows, Draper warmed up with fellow-Brit Charles Broom with some heavy strapping on his left leg.

In Draper’s absence, Bill Harris is set to make his Davis Cup debut, while Dan Evans goes in both the singles and doubles with Neal Skupski.

Jack Draper sends rousing message to Davis Cup teammates ahead of Finland clash

Draper’s recent fitness update and subsequent absence has caused a few question marks to gather over the newly-assembled British squad.

With Andy Murray’s recent retirement at the Paris Olympics, along with Cam Norrie’s recent injury woes, Draper was set to be the player to take charge of the singles.

In his absence however, he has sent his teammates a message via X: “Davis Cup starts for us today. Let’s go!!!” accompanied by a Union Jack emoji.

Currently at his career-high ranking of 20, Draper celebrated his new ATP achievement on his X account, which he’s recently pledged to be more active on.

What other teams will Great Britain face in the Davis Cup?

The British team are currently opening their campaign against Finland, however are set to play Argentina and Canada in the round-robin event.

With Canada’s Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime having put their side up 2-0 against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and Sebastian Baez, they will be the team to beat.

Despite Draper’s absence, the British contingent will be expected to win this tie, despite Harris’ inexperience.

A positive summer for Evans at the Olympics and the US Open has been cemented so far, with the 34-year-old winning his opening match against Finland’s ATP number 703 Eero Vasa in a 7-6, 6-2.