Jack Draper: Former world No 4 calls for patience amid 'perfect storm' of injuries ahead of possible US Open return

Jack Draper has called for his fans to be patient with his return after the former world No 4 withdrew from the DC Open with an arm injury. <p>Draper, did not participate in any of the three 2026 Grand Slams, but <a href="https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13568280/jack-draper-given-wild-card-for-national-bank-open-in-montreal-as-he-returns-from-injury-ahead-of-us-open-qualifying-campaign"> has been given a wild card for the National Bank Open in Montrea</a>l ahead of a qualification campaign for the US Open after his ranking dropped to world No 147.</p><p>With the Brit, who is coached by Sir Andy Murray, scheduled to play in two tournaments before heading to New York, Draper reassured fans that his recovery was nearing completion after an injury-plagued year in which he had played just five tour events over the previous eight months.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/watch/tennis-on-sky"><strong>What tennis is live on Sky Sports?</strong></a> 🎾<strong>📺</strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/tennis">Tennis news</a> |</strong> <a href="https://www.skysports.com/tennis/scores-schedule"><strong>Latest scores, results and schedule</strong></a> 🎾</li><li><strong>Not got Sky? <a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Get Sky Sports</a> or <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">stream with no contract on NOW</a> </strong><strong>📺</strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12110/10952996/sky-sports-push-notifications-faq-how-to-receive-the-alerts-you-want">Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want!</a> </strong><strong>🔔</strong></li></ul><widget id="1"></widget><p>"I've had an addition of Sir Andy [Murray] coming on to the team which has been a massive benefit for me, considering he's someone who's been through a lot of struggle in his career," Draper told <em>Sky Sports News.</em></p><p>"It's important for people to recognise that the injury I have is very complex, it's very complicated and everyone around me is doing everything we can to help this keep moving along.</p><p>"It's not as simple as 'rest and heal up and you'll come back and you'll be fine'.</p><p>"Everything outside of tennis I'm doing amazingly well, everything on the court I'm managing really well too, so I'm at a point now where I'm happy that I will come through this period.</p><p>"It's just going to take some time, but I'm doing all the right things, and the people around me are really supporting me."</p> <widget id="2"></widget><p>Despite dropping 143 rankings over the last year, Draper remained optimistic about his prospects for an imminent full-strength return to the top of tennis:</p><p>"I'm in the best place that I've been in the last year.</p><p>"The process that I've been on - it's a real patience game. It's also just getting the right load, getting the right intensity, having the time to let all the things that I'm doing - away from the court and on the court - to come together, so I can hopefully get to the point where I do make that breakthrough.</p> <widget id="3"></widget><p>"I am able to really progress and stay on the court. I'm getting closer to that moment and I believe that moment is now.</p><p>"That's why it's been difficult to go to tournaments and have to pull out the last minute.</p><p>"But those are calls that I'm making based on the fact that I've got a long career ahead of me, and I've had to go there [to the tournaments] to know where I'm at.</p><p>"It really has been a perfect storm for me in a lot of ways.</p><p>"When I do get out of this storm, I'm going to be pushing on to hopefully get to where I want to be and beyond."</p><p><strong>Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, with Draper set to return from at the National Bank Open in Montreal, starting August 3, and watch the US Open from August 30, live on Sky Sports or <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink">stream with NOW</a> and the <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/12572660/download-the-sky-sports-app-premier-league-goals-f1-race-control-and-more-at-your-fingertips">Sky Sports app</a>, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13131189/sky-sports-plus-launches-in-august-to-give-more-choice-to-fans-via-live-streams-app-and-new-channel">Find out more here.</a></strong></p>