Jack Draper confirms knee tendon injury will keep British star out of 2026 French Open - 'Gutting'

The British tennis player confirmed on Wednesday that he had to pull out of the next Grand Slam event - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - because of a long-standing tendon problem in his knee.

Draper once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world rankings for men’s tennis, but has struggled to get back to his best after a return to the sport following almost eight months out with an arm injury.

Since his return to competitive tennis in February, he has featured in just nine matches across five competitions.

Earlier this month, he had to retire during the Barcelona Open in the first round when he was playing Tomas Etcheverry.

Following that premature exit, he was given a diagnosis of a knee tendon injury, and he had originally targeted a return in time to compete at Roland-Garros, which begins on May 18.

Draper explained in his update that he has returned to some level of training, but has been told not to compete in France in May.

In an Instagram story on his account, he wrote: "My knee is on the mend and I've started back hitting balls but unfortunately I have been advised not to play Roland-Garros.

"As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five set tennis on clay.

"Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I've been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!"

With the French Open ending on June 7, it opens speculation as to whether he will be fit enough to compete at the season’s third Grand Slam event, in England.

Wimbledon begins on June 29, meaning that the 24-year-old Briton may face a race in time not just to recover from his injury, but to consider himself match fit for a tournament of five-set tennis.

Draper is currently ranked at No. 2 in the British rankings, but is now at No. 25 in the world rankings for men's tennis.

His best performance in the French Open came last year, when he reached the fourth round, but he is yet to get past the second round at Wimbledon, having been eliminated at that stage three times in his career so far.

His best performance in a Grand Slam was a semi-final appearance in the 2024 US Open.

Draper’s biggest tournament win was the 2025 Indian Wells triumph against Holger Rune.

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TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to stream live on HBO Max