Jack Draper set for Davis Cup comeback in February
Jack Draper is finally ready to make his long-awaited comeback to competitive tennis next month as he prepares to represent Great Britain in their Davis Cup qualifier against Norway, scheduled for 5 and 6 February in Oslo, reports BritPanorama.
This development marks a significant moment for British tennis fans who have been waiting over five months to see their top player back in action. The 24-year-old left-hander, currently ranked world number 10, has been sidelined since August due to a persistent arm injury.
Throughout this period, Draper has managed just a single singles match since Wimbledon, which underscores the importance of his return. He will not be facing the challenge alone in Scandinavia; he will be joined by a robust squad that includes Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, the nation’s second and third-ranked singles players.
The doubles team also boasts impressive credentials, with Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, the current world number one pairing, contributing to the squad’s strength. Great Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith expressed enthusiastic confidence about the selection, stating, “It’s great to be putting forward our strongest team for February’s Qualifier tie, with our top three ranked singles players and the current No. 1 ranked doubles team in the world.”
Smith acknowledged the challenge posed by a high-quality Norwegian team, stating, “We know we need a strong squad to face them at home, but we’re all looking forward to the challenge in Oslo.”
This tie is critical, as the winner will advance to the second qualifying round later in the year, where they will meet either Australia or Ecuador in September for a chance to secure a spot in the Davis Cup Finals.
Draper’s journey back has been challenging. The injury forced him to withdraw from the US Open in August after participating in only one match and further eliminated him from the Australian swing during the Boxing Day holidays, missing competitions such as the United Cup and the Australian Open. He described this setback in a video message, calling the decision to withdraw “gut-wrenching.”
“I’ve had this injury for a long time. I’m at the very, very end stages of the process,” Draper said, stressing the difficulty of jumping straight into best-of-five-set Grand Slam tennis. He labelled this period as “the most difficult, the most challenging and the most complex one” he has faced in his career, yet remains resolute in his determination to realise his potential.
As he prepares to re-enter the competitive arena, Draper’s early 2025 form, which saw him reach a career-high of world number four in June and secure his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells in March, serves as a testament to his capabilities. The upcoming Davis Cup tie promises not only to be a milestone in his recovery but also a pivotal moment for British tennis as they seek to assert their dominance on the international stage.
In the world of sports, comebacks like Draper’s resonate deeply — a narrative of resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It reminds us that every athlete’s journey is filled with trials, and while victories can be sweet, the road back can often offer just as much drama, if not more.
