Jack Draper, the British number one and world-ranked seventh tennis player, has announced that he will not compete for the remainder of the season due to an arm injury. This decision comes after Draper was forced to withdraw from the US Open during the second round because of increasing discomfort in his arm.

Draper, who is 23 years old, had been dealing with a bruised upper left serving arm since Wimbledon. Despite a confident pre-US Open scan suggesting a full recovery, the pain became unbearable after his first-round victory over Federico Agustin Gomez. Consequently, Draper decided to return home and focus on recovery.

In a heartfelt message on his social media, Draper expressed his disappointment: "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."

This injury not only sidelines Draper from upcoming tournaments but also dashes his hopes of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, a goal he was close to achieving after notable performances earlier in the year, including a win at the ATP 1000 event in Indian Wells and a runner-up finish in Madrid.

Draper's absence is expected to impact his standing in the world's top 10 rankings by the end of the year. Reflecting on his injury, Draper mentioned that the discomfort began during the clay court season and progressively worsened, affecting his forehand and serve.

Looking ahead, Draper plans to take a break from competitive play, which will provide him with at least four months of recovery time. This period will be crucial for him to address his physical issues and return stronger in the next season.

Draper also shared insights into his playing style, acknowledging the need to balance power with efficiency, especially in his serve. He cited Novak Djokovic's effective serving technique as a model for reducing physical strain while maintaining performance.

As Draper focuses on recovery, the tennis community looks forward to his return, hoping to see him continue his ascent in the rankings and achieve his potential on the global stage.