Emotional Jack Draper in tears as pain of chronic injury takes toll

A tearful Jack Draper was knocked out of the Canadian Open amid “upsetting” scenes as the Briton’s chronic arm injury appeared to resurface during his three-set defeat to Terence Atmane.

Draper, who was playing in his first tournament since withdrawing from Wimbledon, appeared to be sobbing uncontrollably during the changeover while trailing 4-1 in the third set.

If Draper was indeed struggling with injury, the 24-year-old continued to play on, but could not prevent a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 defeat by Atmane in what was just his sixth tournament of the season.

Draper has been plagued by bone bruising in his left arm for well over a year, with the complicated injury stopping his career in its tracks after he reached No 4 in the world last season.

The former Indian Wells champion has been open with the mental toll his injuries have taken. He was forced to pull out of Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament, before also withdrawing from the Washington Open last week.

“These last months have felt like nothing but adversity and setbacks,” Draper posted on Instagram at the time. “Finding acceptance and being patient with the process has been my biggest challenge, but I know I’m getting closer to where I want to be!”

Draper was underpowered in the third set after forcing the decider, suggesting that he was struggling with the pain in his left arm, his serving arm.

The problem first flared up during last year’s clay-court season. Draper attempted to comeback in time for the US Open, but it led to an even longer lay-off. He has not played a grand slam since.

Before withdrawing from Wimbledon, Draper described the injury as “extremely complicated”.

“It’s one of those, it’s hard to tell when you can push, when not to push,” he said.

“At the end of the day it’s like I’m playing a very aggressive sport, as well, that you need to play through some stuff. Sometimes it’s too much. Sometimes it’s not.

“I’m always guided by the people around me. I wouldn’t be competing anywhere if there was a chance that I’m going to get a lot worse, for instance.”

Now ranked No 143 in the world, Draper also explained how difficult the injury has been mentally.

Ahead of Wimbledon, he said: Looking back coming here last year as 4 in the world, I was feeling incredible and looking forward to everything that was to come. I felt like I was gradually building up and up and up, confidence in my tennis, in my body, in my mind.

“Then you have something that stops you in your tracks when you’re not expecting it. I think it’s really difficult to accept that, especially after coming through what you’ve come through in the past.”

On Sky Sports, commentator Annabel Croft said it was tough to see Draper struggling with his body and emotions on the court.

“This is pretty emotional,” she said. “He’s bent over and literally erupting with emotion here. It’s very, very upsetting to see.

“I can only assume that the arm is hurting. He couldn’t hold it in and he let it all out. You just wonder what is going through his mind for all that emotion to be there.”