Cautious Draper playing long game with withdrawal
The 24-year-old did not play a tour-level tournament for six months because of a bruised bone in his left serving arm but has competed in three events in five weeks since making his return to competitive action. The 2024 US Open semi-finalist won on his return in Dubai, earned a notable victory over Novak Djokovic on his way to the Indian Wells quarter-finals, then lost in his first outing at the Miami Open. Draper said he was "feeling good" physically after being beaten by Reilly Opelka in Miami, but also outlined how he needs to continue to be patient with eight months of the season ahead.
Draper therefore believes playing Monte Carlo - which gets the European clay court swing going for the top stars on 5 April and is one of the most prestigious events on the ATP Tour - is not a wise move at this stage of his recovery. Instead he plans to continue training in London, building his fitness and honing his game for the months ahead. Sinner raises Alcaraz stakes with historic 'Sunshine Double' Sabalenka beats Gauff to complete 'Sunshine Double' Monte Carlo kicks off a busy period for the top men's players, with two more clay-court Masters in Madrid and Rome before the swing culminates at the French Open in early June.
Draper has joined 24-time major champion Djokovic and American world number eight Taylor Fritz in withdrawing from Monte Carlo. After the clay, the season goes straight into grass-court action, where Draper will be one of the star attractions on home turf at Queen's and Wimbledon. Former world number four Draper has dropped to 25th in the rankings, and been replaced as British number one Cameron Norrie, as a consequence of his absence.
This is further evidence of Draper being unafraid to take tough short-term decisions for what he hopes will be long-term benefit. The left-hander's serving arm has been the one affected, first causing him pain during last year's clay-court swing. He initially tried to play through the discomfort, but withdrew from the US Open before his second-round match and swiftly decided to curtail his 2025 season.
Then he opted not to play this year's Australian Open. It clearly continues to be a 'better safe than sorry' approach from Draper and his team, given the complex nature of the issue and his chequered history of physical issues. There are no indications that pulling out of Monte Carlo is anything to be overly concerned about.