Jack Draper is looking to have a good, consistent year on the tour, but the British No.1 has revealed he is taking “a lot” of painkillers to deal with tendinitis in a hip which has hampered his chances his against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
Draper's physical affairs returned and he said He lasted just two sets of his fourth-round match with four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz.
Draper came into the competition with little preparation after suffering a hip injury in pre-season, and admitted he still had to manage.
He then put his body through three five-set matches, spending more than 12 and a half hours on court, and that was too much.
“Basically I had tendinitis in my hip, and I had to get an MRI to look,” Draper said at his press conference. “I've had a history of problems in that area and it hasn't gone away. I'm still dealing with that.
“In fact, in the pre-season, it moved into my back and I couldn't walk and it was very difficult. I have come here and I have been managing that. I was really surprised at how much I was able to play. and I put my body through it, more than I ever did before I think it's just one of those things, just too much weight.
“This area of my body, if I don't get that right and I don't make good decisions, I don't want to lose three or four months because of that.”
Draper was due to spend a week training with Alcaraz in Spain in December, but was forced to cancel due to the injury with the 23-year-old admitting the issue is a “ticking time bomb”. which he manages by taking painkillers.
“I've got to clean up the tendinitis,” he admitted. “Obviously doing rehab or maybe having an injection in that area to help it . I chose to do the reset. But obviously he didn't clear too much. Maybe I'll see what I can do with that. It's not a long-term thing at all.
“I've come here and played a lot of tennis and I've broken down. The most important thing to stay injury free and be consistent is to keep that consistency in your body time where you are injury free, time to train, time to get your body right.
“If you're dealing with injuries and playing with pain and taking medication, it's not ideal.
“I'll manage it as best as I can, and hopefully I'll go on a run where I'll look after them where I'm not playing in pain and being OK, and without taking medicines.”
When asked how many medications he was taking, Draper replied: “All the time. A lot. Yes, a lot.”
I am aware of injuries, especially in the past, I just want to make the right decisions because I don't want months out. I want to be able to hopefully be able to play and be consistent, be consistent in my body and everything again.
Draper 'proud' of his efforts
The Draper was not helped by the schedule as he had to play in the heat on the warmest day of the tournament.
He was under pressure from the start and soon looked a bit uncomfortable, but Alcaraz was erratic in the opening set and the Spaniard just edged him.
By the end of the second, however, Draper was barely able to catch up and Alcaraz was waiting for the handshake.
“All things considered, I'm very proud of my efforts,” said Draper, who reached the quarterfinals of the US Open in September.
“My tennis has been pretty bang-average. All week, it's been very poor, of course, but my competitiveness, my fight, and my desire to win got me into the last 16 of a Grand Slam, which is is something I'm very proud of.”
“It's a big disappointment, and I don't like to withdraw. I am someone who likes to give everything for everything, but I am aware with injuries, especially in the past, I just want to make the right decisions because no I'm not I want months out.
Henman: A step too far for Draper
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Both Tim Henman and Laura Robson chose Draper as their best player of the 2024 ATP season
Tim Henman talks about it Eurosport about Draper's retirement:
“It was nothing about motivation. He fought so hard with three or five lookers,” said the former British No.1.
“I don't think it would have made a difference if Jack won the first set. I don't think he had enough energy in the tank to go down with Alcaraz.
“Throw into the equation that he had a hip problem in the off-season, he seemed to struggle with that area and maybe the top of his nose.
“I think to some extent, Draper's hands were tied. He went out there and gave it a go but it was just a step too far unfortunately.”
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, plus the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NIS and the The Sky Sports appgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out here.
