London, Dec 29; British tennis star Jack Draper has confirmed he will miss the 2026 Australian Open as he continues to recover from a persistent left arm injury, the ATP Tour announced. The 24‑year‑old, currently ranked No. 10 in the world, revealed in a video on social media that he and his team decided it would be unwise to return to competition given the extensive physical demands of a Grand Slam.Draper has been sidelined since sustaining bone bruising in his left arm earlier this year, which also forced him to withdraw from the US Open and limited him to just one tour match since Wimbledon. Despite nearing the end of his recovery, he said playing best‑of‑five‑set matches so soon could jeopardise his long‑term health and career prospects.
His absence is a setback for both the player and the tournament, with the Australian Open set to begin on January 18, 2026, in Melbourne. Draper expressed optimism about his return later in the season as he continues rehabilitation.