Jack Draper gets wild card hours after Brit’s injury withdrawal | Tennis | Sport

Former British No1 Jack Draper has been named as a wild card for an upcoming tournament as he continues to recover from an arm injury. The 24-year-old has missed all three grand slam tournaments so far this year through injury, but will hope to feature at the National Bank Open.

Draper was scheduled to feature at Wimbledon, where he would have faced Taylor Fritz in the first round, only to withdraw from the grand slam at SW19 around 24 hours before the match was due to begin. The former world No4 withdrew from the tournament due to an arm injury, which forced him to miss the French Open and the Australian Open earlier in the year. The National Bank Open is set to get underway in Canada next week, and Draper has been confirmed as a wild card entrant for the tournament.

“I’m really excited to be playing in Montreal,” Draper said in a statement. “It’s a tournament I’ve enjoyed, and I have great memories of reaching the quarterfinals here a few years ago.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on court and competing in front of the Canadian fans again.”

National Bank Open tournament director Valerie Tetreault went on to add: “We’re thrilled to announce the final wild card recipients for this year’s National Bank Open.

“With these latest additions, our main draw now features five Canadians and two standout players in Gael Monfils and Jack Draper, both of whom have the potential to make a deep run.

“With former finalist Kei Nishikori and three more Canadians in the qualifying draw, fans can look forward to memorable moments from day one.”

The update comes after Draper withdrew from the Mubadala DC Open earlier this week due to the same injury which forced him to miss Wimbledon.

Draper has now fallen to No147 in the world rankings and will be determined to put his injury woes behind him when he features in Montreal next week.

The former British No1 will now have an eye on the final grand slam of the year with the US Open taking place in September at Flushing Meadows.