Jack Draper pulled out of Wimbledon just 24 hours before his first‑round clash with American sixth seed Taylor Fritz, citing a long‑term arm injury that has plagued him for most of the past year. The decision came after a brief outing at Eastbourne, where he reached the semi‑finals.

The injury that forced last year’s withdrawal resurfaced now, despite Draper’s recent form. He had been cleared to play but felt the pain during training, forcing a withdrawal just hours before Centre Court. His arm problem has halted his progress at the biggest stage in 2026.

Draper’s exit follows Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from the tournament after a stress fracture in her right leg. The two injuries underline the growing concern over player health at the Grand Slams. Draper expressed worry that leading players face a high injury rate.

With Draper out, Britain loses a promising young talent at a key moment of his development. The decision may force the national federation to reassess training loads and medical support. Fans will now focus on other British hopefuls through this season.