After enjoying a fantastic start to the year, Jack Draper has been forced to shut down his 2025 season early.
The British number one picked up his maiden Masters 1000 title earlier this year, when Draper won Indian Wells.
Reaching a career-high ranking of fourth in the world shortly after, Draper established himself as one of the very best players in the men’s game.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed his season, as the Brit missed several tournaments after Wimbledon.
Returning at the US Open, Draper withdrew ahead of his second-round match, and has now revealed he will skip the last few months of the year.
The news, while devastating for Draper, has opened the door for several players to potentially participate in a $6 million exhibition tournament next month.
One player in particular could be the perfect replacement for Draper in Saudi Arabia…
Joao Fonseca should replace Jack Draper at the Six Kings Slam
Draper was scheduled to appear at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.
The exhibition event, which offers up $6 million in prize money for the winner (more than the Grand Slams), was won by Jannik Sinner in 2024.
Following Draper’s withdrawal, the event organizers now face a race against time to sort out a replacement.
2025 Six Kings Slam line-up
- Novak Djokovic
- Jannik Sinner
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Alexander Zverev
- Taylor Fritz
- Jack Draper
The event hasn’t officially announced Draper’s withdrawal just yet, but it’s highly unlikely he will compete, given his plans to ‘sit out’ the rest of the 2025 season.
One potential replacement for Draper could be Brazilian youngster Joao Fonseca, who has made plenty of headlines this year.
Beginning the year ranked 145th in the world, Fonseca now sits well inside the world’s top 50, thanks to several impressive performances.
After stunning Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, Fonseca won his first-ever ATP title at the Argentina Open, defeating Francisco Cerundolo in the final.
A quieter few months followed, as the Brazilian continued to adjust to the busy tennis schedule.
He is, however, widely considered to have top-ten potential, and many have named Fonseca as a future-Grand Slam winner.
Adding him to the line-up for the Six Kings Slam could be a wise choice, introducing the youngster to a wider audience.
Fonseca has, in fact, already excited fans in Saudi Arabia, having won the Next Gen ATP Finals event in Jeddah last November.
Inviting him back to the Middle East, to compete against some of the top stars on tour, would be a great opportunity for fans to see Fonseca again.
It could also begin a tradition of awarding a spot in the Six Kings Slam to the previous season’s Next Gen ATP Finals champion.
Such continuity could help fans in Saudi Arabia, not typically the biggest of tennis nations, engage with the sport year-round.
There are, of course, plenty of other good options for the Six Kings Slam to choose from.
Top ten players, Ben Shelton, Alex de Minaur, and Lorenzo Musetti would all be welcome additions, or they could choose to go in another direction.
For the 2024 tournament, a retiring Rafael Nadal was invited to play, and organizers could make a similar choice this year.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka was controversially denied a wild card at the US Open, and what better way for the event to gain some goodwill than to bring the Swiss legend on board for a few more matches against some of his old rivals.
The Six Kings Slam are not short of options, as fans look forward to the event beginning on Wednesday, October 15.
Jack Draper’s injury statement in full
Whether Fonseca or Wawrinka takes his place at the Six Kings Slam remains to be seen, but Draper will have other things on his mind.
Announcing the end to his 2025 season on X, the 23-year-old was already looking forward to his return to action.
“Hi guys, an update from me… Unfortunately, the injury to my arm is something I have to rest and means I’ll be sitting out the rest of 2025,” he said.
“It is very difficult for me to accept, as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing some great stuff.
“However, I’ve been through this before… and I always come back stronger as I’m so motivated to fulfil my potential as a player.
“Huge thanks to everyone who backs me to do well and supports me on my journey.
“Can’t wait to get back out there and give it my all. See you soon!”
Providing he’s fit to do so, Draper will target a return to tennis in Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the year.
The 2025 Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12.
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