Jack Draper delays comeback and will miss Queen’s after injury setback

British number three Jack Draper will not play at Queen’s next week after delaying his comeback from injury by at least another week. The decision means the 2026 grass-court season will continue without one of Britain’s leading players at the traditional London warm-up event.

Draper had been expected to return sooner, but his recovery has taken longer than planned. The setback pushes back his comeback and rules him out of Queen’s, where he would have been hoping to build momentum ahead of Wimbledon.

Draper setback rules him out of Queen’s

The news is a disappointment for both Draper and British tennis fans, with Queen’s often seen as a key stop for home players preparing for the summer’s biggest grass-court tournaments. As British number three, Draper has been one of the most closely watched names in the build-up to the season, but injury has forced him to delay his return to competition.

While the exact nature of the injury was not detailed in the brief update, the timeline confirms that he will miss at least another week. That means he will not be available for Queen’s next week, extending his absence from the tour.

What the delay means for the grass-court season

Queen’s is one of the most important events on the calendar for players targeting a strong Wimbledon campaign, and Draper’s absence removes a major British interest from the tournament. His delayed comeback also leaves questions over how much match practice he will be able to get before the Grand Slam at the All England Club.

For now, the focus will be on recovery rather than competition. Draper will aim to return once he is fully fit, but this latest delay shows that his comeback will take a little longer than first hoped.

British tennis supporters will now wait for further updates on when he can resume playing, with the priority being a safe return to action rather than a rushed comeback.