Draper worries: "We need him to stay healthy"
Steve Johnson does not see it as a good sign that the British tennis player has withdrawn from the ATP Rotterdam after his return in the Davis Cup.
A few days ago, Jack Draper made a triumphant return to the circuit with his comfortable victory in the Davis Cup tie between the UK and Norway against Viktor Durasovic, after being out of competition for six months due to an arm injury. However, a few days later, the British tennis player announced his withdrawal from the ATP 500 in Rotterdam, raising concerns about his physical condition.
It is true that Draper is taking his recovery process slowly to avoid setbacks, which is why he also did not play in the Australian Open. But for Steve Johnson, this is a bad sign both for the player and for tennis in general, as one of the best players on the circuit is missing out. Considering Jack's extensive history of injuries, this news is worrying, as perhaps his body, especially his arm, is not responding as well as they had hoped.
"Everyone was happy to see Jack Draper back. He didn't lose his rhythm, which is impressive considering he hasn't played a match since last year's US Open. We've all taken a break, and it's not easy to come back and look sharp, as he did. Unfortunately, two days later, he withdraws from Rotterdam, which is not a good sign for Jack Draper and the future of his tennis because he hasn't played a match in months," declared the former world number 21 on the Nothing Major Show.
The Dubai ATP, a Major Test for Jack Draper
It is important to remember that Draper is defending the title at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 and will arrive with little practice at a tournament where he could lose a significant amount of points, which worries Johnson. "He returns and wins in less than an hour, his body looks very good and in shape despite not having played much, and he withdraws from Rotterdam before the tournament begins. I don't know what's going on, but we need him to stay healthy. He is a great addition to tennis when he competes; he's a Masters 1000 champion and can reach the highest level."
Draper, on his part, calmed things down in an interview with Sky Sports, attributing the decision to not play several consecutive matches to the caution he has been exercising in recent weeks. "While I am positive about how my recovery is going, I have been advised not to rush and compete in consecutive matches. Although I am disappointed not to be able to compete again, overall I am heading in the right direction," he revealed.
Barring surprises, his next appearance before Indian Wells will be at the Dubai ATP, from February 23 to 28. This tournament will be a major test for Jack, as it will show if he is ready to play several consecutive matches without straining his arm, a very delicate area considering the power he puts into his shots. Despite being advised against continuous play in his initial matches, he will have to do so at that event to assess his real physical condition and how he will fare for the first Masters 1000 of the season.
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