Former British number one Jack Draper has withdrawn from another tournament on the eve of competition as the long-term arm injury that has plagued his career continues to cause discomfort.
The 24-year-old left-hander pulled out of the ATP Tour event in Washington on Monday, just a day before he was due to make his first competitive appearance since withdrawing from Wimbledon last month.
Draper has been battling bone bruising in his serving arm for more than a year. Although he said over the weekend that he was "feeling physically good" ahead of the Mubadala DC Open, the injury flared up again after practice sessions under the guidance of new coach Andy Murray.
Having initially looked sharp in training, Draper was forced to withdraw from the ATP 500 event after experiencing increased soreness in the affected arm.
It marks another frustrating setback and mirrors the events leading up to Wimbledon, where he also spoke positively about his fitness before pulling out just 24 hours before his opening-round match.
Shortly after confirming his withdrawal, Draper shared an emotional message on Instagram.
"These last months have felt like nothing but adversity and setbacks.
"Most days I've spent in doubt, yet hopeful that I can keep taking positive steps forward and finding ways to progress.
"Being patient with the process has been my biggest challenge, but I know I'm getting closer to where I want to be."
Despite the latest setback, Draper remains hopeful of returning in time for the ATP Masters events in Montreal and Cincinnati before the US Open begins on 30 August, where he reached the semi-finals in 2024.
However, his continued absence is becoming an increasing concern.
Draper has described the injury as "complicated," and the recurring nature of the problem has left his schedule in constant doubt. The former world number four has played just 14 matches over the past 12 months, with the bruised humerus in his serving arm repeatedly forcing lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Speaking at Wimbledon, Draper admitted managing the injury has been far from straightforward.
"It's hard to tell when you can push and when not to push.
"At the end of the day, I'm playing a very aggressive sport and you have to play through some things. Sometimes it's too much. Sometimes it's not.
"I wouldn't be competing anywhere if there was a chance that I'm going to get a lot worse."
His attempted comeback earlier this season was also interrupted by knee tendinitis, limiting him to just a handful of appearances. Although he reached the semi-finals at Eastbourne in June after more than two months out, that encouraging run ultimately came at a cost, with the arm injury flaring up once again before Wimbledon and leaving him "devastated" to miss his home Grand Slam.
Now ranked 147th in the world, Draper has not competed at a Grand Slam since last year's US Open. If he is fit enough to return to Flushing Meadows this summer, he will likely need to come through qualifying or receive a wildcard to secure a place in the main draw.
In Washington, Draper's place in the draw will be taken by lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald.
