Jack Draper began his clay‑court campaign at the Barcelona Open with a disappointing retirement. After taking the opening set 6‑3 against Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the Briton faltered in the second set, losing 6‑3. A physio applied tape to his right knee during the break, but the injury forced him to withdraw in the third set while trailing 4‑1.

Draper, ranked just above Etcheverry, had returned to the tour only four tournaments after a left‑arm injury kept him sidelined since last August’s US Open. His early exit leaves him scrambling for match fitness ahead of the Madrid Masters, where he reached the final last year before falling to Casper Ruud after a narrow loss to the world number three.

Etcheverry, who stunned world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz in Monte Carlo, now faces either Portugal’s Nuno Borges or France’s Adrian Mannarino in the second round at Real Club de Tenis Barcelona. Draper’s withdrawal underscores the physical toll of the season’s early clay swing, reminding fans that injury management remains a critical factor in a player’s campaign trajectory as the tour shifts focus to the hard‑court season soon ahead.