British tennis player Jack Draper has candidly revealed he hit “rock bottom” during a period of intense emotional struggle, culminating in tears on the court. This admission follows a challenging 2026 season, a stark contrast to his promising 2024 performance at the US Open.

Draper, who reached the semi-finals of the US Open in 2024, was once seen as a potential future star for British tennis. However, a persistent series of injuries and fitness issues have significantly hampered his progress, with the current year proving particularly difficult. As the US Open commences later this month, Draper has yet to participate in any Grand Slam events this season. Major tournaments in Melbourne, Paris, and London have passed him by, leaving New York as his final opportunity to compete in a major championship in 2026.

This situation is far from ideal for the 24-year-old Londoner, who had begun to establish his presence in the sport following his breakout performance at Flushing Meadows two years prior. Reflecting on his journey, Draper shared his experiences with The Guardian, describing moments of profound emotional distress.

Emotional Distress and Physical Pain

Draper recounted an incident in May where he experienced significant emotional distress during practice. He was suffering from severe knee tendinitis and considerable arm soreness, leading to immense pain. “I don’t get emotional often,” Draper stated. “There was once I got emotional in practice in May when I had really bad knee tendinitis and my arm was really sore as well. I was in so much pain. I was running and my knee [hurt] and my hitting the balls and my arm was sore.”

The emotional low point experienced recently stemmed from a confluence of factors. “Last week came from a place of, I think I had so much to focus on and manage, so much change going on in my tennis,” he explained. Draper noted that his rise to world No. 4 was achieved through consistent effort and a stable approach. However, navigating a period of numerous setbacks and significant struggle proved taxing.

“That’s taken a lot out of me,” Draper admitted. “But then at the same time, I’m in a position where I’m having to start again. That reality is difficult sometimes.”

Ranking Drop and Tournament Challenges

The impact of these challenges is evident in Draper’s world ranking. He reached a career-high of fifth in the world in June of the previous year but has since fallen to 143rd. This significant drop means he no longer automatically qualifies for major tournaments, necessitating the use of wildcards, such as the one he received for the Cincinnati Open.

This situation follows a difficult match where the three-time ATP title winner was visibly overcome with emotion, breaking down in tears during his first-round match against Terence Atmane. Discussing the distressing on-court display, Draper elaborated on the underlying causes.

Understanding the Tears on Court

“The reason I got emotional was that through all the challenges, you can forget who you are on the court,” Draper said. “And last week I felt like I couldn’t give any more.” He described feeling disconnected from his own game, stating, “I was emotional because I didn’t recognise the player I was out on the court due to my injuries and due to probably the way I’ve been feeling for a long time.”

Despite the depth of his struggles, Draper expressed a belief in the potential for recovery and resurgence. “When you reach rock bottom like that you can come back up again,” he remarked. He has since reported positive developments in his training. “Since then I’ve practised really well, I’ve had amazing support from the people around me and you get to a point more and more of acceptance. We’ve definitely reached that acceptance phase now.”

Looking Ahead: Cincinnati and Beyond

Draper’s immediate focus is on his upcoming match against Martin Landaluce in Cincinnati. However, the outcome of this particular match is secondary to his broader goals. For Draper, the priority is to regain consistent form, rebuild his physical fitness, and establish a solid foundation for the remainder of his season and future competitions. The journey back from this challenging period is as much about mental fortitude and acceptance as it is about physical recovery and on-court performance.