Jack Draper has been medically advised not to play in this weekend’s Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) grand final in London.
Draper, who reached a ranking high of No.4 earlier this year, has been dealing with an elbow issue in recent months and hasn’t played on the Tour since winning his first round match at the US Open in September. He initially felt discomfort in his left arm during the clay swing, but was diagnosed with bone bruising after Wimbledon.
“Hi guys. I’ve been working hard to be back for UTS in London but frustratingly I’m just not quite ready,” Draper said in a social media post.
“It’s a tough call as at this point I want nothing more than to get out there and compete but I’ve been advised to take more time. I’m sorry to let down fans and miss out on this event.”
Despite his injury setback, Draper has enjoyed a breakthrough year in which he won his maiden Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells and reached the final of another in Madrid. He was also runner-up at the Qatar Open in February, which is an ATP 500 event. His best Grand Slam results were reaching the last 16 at both the Australian Open and French Open.
As it currently stands, the 23-year-old is still on course to start his 2026 season as planned at the United Cup, where he is set to team up with Emma Raducanu. The mixed event, which is being staged in Sydney and Perth, will start on January 2nd.
As for the UTS Showdown in London, Ugo Humbert has been brought in to replace Draper in the three-day competition. Alex De Minaur, Andrey Rublev, Tomas Machac, Casper Ruud, Francisco Cerundolo, David Goffin and Adrian Mannarino are also taking part. Held at the Copper Box Arena, players will be split into two round-robin groups with the top two of each group progressing to the knockout stages. A total of $1.865m in prize money will be on offer, with a maximum of $921.800 being awarded to the winner.
UTS London provisional order of play
Friday, December 5 (5pm)
Rublev vs Machac
De Minaur vs Mannarino
Humbert vs Goffin
Ruud vs Cerundolo
Saturday Afternoon, December 6 (1pm)
Machac vs Mannarino
Ruud vs Goffin
Humbert vs Cerundolo
De Minaur vs Rublev
Saturday Evening, December 6 (6.15pm)
Cerundolo vs Goffin
Rublev vs Mannarino
Ruud vs Humbert
De Minaur vs Machac
Sunday, December 7
The final four
source – Sky Sports UK, broadcaster of the event
