Jack Draper marks return with victory at Dubai Tennis Championships
The British number one made a triumphant return to ATP Tour action on Monday evening, defeating Frenchman Quentin Halys 7-6 (10-8), 6-3 at the Dubai Tennis Championships, reports BritPanorama.
It has been a long road back for the 24-year-old, who hadn’t competed at tour level since the US Open last August due to a troublesome left arm injury. Fans noted Draper’s striking new buzz cut as he stepped onto the court for his Dubai debut, a bold change that may signify a fresh chapter in his career.
The match proved far from straightforward, with Draper needing to dig deep in a nervy opening set. He found himself facing two set points while serving at 4-5 but demonstrated real grit to survive and force a tiebreak. From 7-8 down in that breaker, Draper reeled off three consecutive points to clinch the set.
The second set was more comfortable after Draper secured the only break of the match in the fourth game, moving ahead 3-1. He maintained strong service throughout, finishing with an impressive 86% first serve win rate and 13 aces, demonstrating control and resilience.
Speaking after the victory, Draper expressed joy at returning to competitive tennis. “It feels so good, honestly to be out here, competing in front of people,” he said. He acknowledged the support he received during his recovery, noting, “A lot of people have helped me get back to this position after a lot of down moments in the last eight months; it hasn’t been easy to get back here.”
Draper’s injury troubles began during the clay-court season in April when bone bruising in his service arm developed and worsened. He was forced to withdraw from the US Open after just one match and missed the Australian Open in January to ensure a complete recovery. Having reached a career-high world ranking of fourth last June, he now sits at 15th, reflecting the impact of his lengthy absence.
Before the injury struck, Draper enjoyed a successful 2025, winning the prestigious Indian Wells Masters 1,000 title and reaching the fourth round at both the Australian and French Opens. Next up in Dubai, he will face either Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan or France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
In an evening that marked both redemption and resolve, Draper’s performance serves as a potent reminder of the challenges faced in elite sport and the fine line between triumph and adversity.
