**Draper's Calvary with Injuries, and How His Absence at the Australian Open Affects the ATP Top-10 Ranking**

Pedro de Pablos | 27 Dec 2025 | 08.58

Draper's Calvary with Injuries and How His Absence in the Australian Open Affects the Top 10

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Jack Draper is going through a true ordeal with injuries during his early years on the professional circuit. After four months without competing due to an arm problem, the British tennis player announced yesterday that he will not be able to play the Australian Open 2026, which will also have direct consequences on the ATP top-10 ranking.

Currently, Draper holds the 10th position in this ranking, but after the first Grand Slam of the year, he will lose the 180 points he earned last year for reaching the round of 16. In fact, he lost against Carlos Alcaraz due to hip issues that forced him to retire prematurely.

The impact of his decision not to participate in the 'Australasian Major' is significant because Alexander Bublik (ranked 11th) was eliminated in the first round last year, so no matter what happens, he will move ahead in the rankings. The same will happen with Casper Ruud (12th), who needs a victory to surpass Draper pending the outcome of the United Cup. If his immediate pursuers also perform well, he could even drop several positions further down.

Draper defends final in Doha and title in Indian Wells

As the player admitted in a video posted on social media, he still does not feel physically prepared to compete in a Grand Slam best-of-five sets format, hence deciding to postpone his return to the courts. However, if his comeback is delayed, the consequences could be much more devastating for him.

Just half a month after the Australian Open, Draper has to defend the 330 points he earned in the final of the Doha ATP 500 in 2025, where he was defeated by Andrey Rublev. Moreover, in early March, the Briton will have to defend his first Masters 1000 title won in Indian Wells.

It is expected for Jack to participate in these tournaments, but the question is how well he will be physically to face the final rounds. If he does not achieve good results, his ranking could drop even below the top-20. A lot of pressure on the shoulders of a player who reached number four midway through the year.

2025, Draper's worst year in terms of activity

What stands out the most about Draper's 2025 is the contrast between his good results and his physical problems, which have been a constant since the beginning of his career. The abdomen, the shoulder, the hip... and now the left arm, a sensitive area he must take care of if he wants to regain the power so characteristic in his game.

In a year where he achieved his most significant results, it is also worth noting that he played only 11 tournaments, retiring in two of them. At the US Open, he did not even step onto the court to face Zizou Bergs in the second round, adding to the previously mentioned retirement against Carlos Alcaraz. At 23 years old, it remains to be seen if 2026 will finally be the year he finds consistency, as his talent and level of play are destined for great things in the sport of tennis.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El calvario de Draper con las lesiones, y cómo afecta su baja en el Open de Australia al top-10 del ránking ATP