Draper Forced to Retire in Barcelona, Vows to 'Work My Way Out' of Injury Woes
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| Draper retires hurt in Barcelona first round |
Jack Draper was forced to retire with a right leg problem during his Barcelona Open first-round match against Tomas Etcheverry on Monday. The Brit vowed to work his way out of his ongoing injury issues.
“It will take time but I will work my way out of this...”
The 24-year-old Briton, who only returned to action in February after six months out with a nagging left arm injury, pulled up while trailing 1-4 in the deciding set against the Argentine, raising doubts about his fitness for the clay season.
“Sad to retire in Barcelona. I've tried hard these last months to stay positive and give my all,” Draper, who tried to soldier on with taping below his right knee, said in a post on social media.
“It will take time but I will work my way out of this. Thank you for all the support throughout this process.”
Jack Draper was forced to retire in the 3rd set of his match against Etcheverry in Barcelona.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 13, 2026
He was struggling with a knee issue.
Such a big talent who’s already had to deal with so many injuries in his young career.
Rest & recover. 🇬🇧❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/4f1y3i9wJZ
After an early exit in Dubai in February, Draper shook off the rust to beat 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells, though his title defence in the California desert ended in the quarter-finals against Daniil Medvedev.
The left-hander then took another early loss in Miami and withdrew from Monte Carlo to protect his arm, but had hoped to jump-start his clay campaign in Barcelona ahead of the French Open, which begins May 24.
“I like how he plays, he’s a great fighter,” Etcheverry said of the former world No. 4, who has since dropped to 28th in the rankings.
“Hopefully he can recover as soon as he can to get back on tour, because the tour likes him.”
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