British tennis fans had braced themselves for a long wait to see Jack Draper back on court. After a promising 2025 season cut short by a stubborn arm injury, Draper announced in September that he would be sitting out the rest of the year. But in a twist few expected, the world No. 7 has now been confirmed for a dramatic return at the UTS Grand Final in London this December—a move that’s set the tennis world abuzz.
Draper’s injury woes first reared their head at Wimbledon 2025. There, he suffered a surprise early exit against former US Open champion Marin Cilic, fueling rumors that something wasn’t quite right. As the summer wore on, Draper skipped the North American hardcourt swing, including the prestigious Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati, in a bid to recover from what was later revealed as bone bruising in his arm.
Despite his absence from the singles circuit, Draper made a brief appearance at the US Open in New York. He teamed up with Jessica Pegula in the mixed doubles event, and the duo made an impressive run to the semi-finals before falling to eventual runners-up Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud. In the men’s singles, Draper managed a 3-1 victory over Federico Agustin Gomez in the first round, but the pain proved too much. He was forced to withdraw ahead of his second match, drawing a line under his ATP Tour season.
Fans were left disappointed when Draper took to social media to announce his withdrawal from the rest of the 2025 calendar. In a heartfelt post on X, he wrote: “Unfortunately the injury to my arm is something I have to rest and means I’ll be sitting out the rest of 2025. It is very difficult for me to accept as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing some great stuff. However, I have been through this before and I always come back stronger as I am so motivated to fulfil my potential as a player. Huge thanks to everyone who backs me to do well and supports me on my journey. Can’t wait to get back out there and give it my all. See you soon!”
For a while, it seemed that was that. Draper even withdrew from the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in Saudi Arabia, signaling a clear focus on rest and recovery. But behind the scenes, things were changing. In recent weeks, Draper has been spotted training at the National Tennis Centre in London, a sign that his bone bruise is healing and his determination to return is as fierce as ever.
That determination has now paid off. Draper has accepted a wildcard entry to the UTS Grand Final, set to take place at London’s Copper Box Arena from December 5th to 7th, 2025. The event, widely regarded as the showpiece finale of the UTS circuit, will feature eight of the world’s top players, including Tomas Machac, Casper Ruud, David Goffin, Alex De Minaur (the defending champion), and Andrey Rublev. Draper, who did not participate in any UTS events earlier this year, was granted the wildcard based on his previous success and star power.
The UTS Grand Final isn’t your typical tennis tournament. It’s known for its unconventional format, designed to inject excitement and tactical flair into the game. Matches are contested over four eight-minute quarters, with players racking up as many points as possible in each period. There are no second serves, and only 15 seconds are allowed between points, keeping the action fast and frenetic. Players can also use bonus cards, multiplying the next point by three—a feature that has led to some wild momentum swings and last-gasp drama. If the match is tied after four quarters, a sudden-death deciding point determines the winner.
Draper is no stranger to the UTS format. In fact, he triumphed on his debut at the event back in 2023, quickly adapting to the rapid-fire pace and strategic twists. “He was very confident—otherwise he wouldn’t accept to be invited,” tournament organizer Patrick Mouratoglou told BBC Sport. “I’m sure he’s going to play. The only thing you can do is [allow] time for healing. He’s going to take a long time before competing again. You can’t play on a bone bruise, because the next stage is a stress fracture and you can’t take the risk to have a stress fracture. When you have a bone bruise on the arm, you can do a lot of fitness, so you stay in shape. It’s annoying because you need to stop completely and wait until it’s completely clean again.”
That measured approach seems to have paid dividends for Draper. Recent images of him hitting at the National Tennis Centre have reassured fans, and his inclusion in the UTS Grand Final lineup is a clear signal that he’s on the mend. The Brit’s return adds extra spice to an already star-studded event, with the likes of Ruud, Machac, Goffin, De Minaur, and Rublev all eager to claim the final trophy of the UTS season.
While Draper’s road to recovery has been anything but smooth, his resilience has never been in doubt. The 23-year-old has dealt with injury setbacks before and has always bounced back stronger. His early exit at Wimbledon, the disappointment of missing out on the ATP World Tour Finals, and the frustration of sitting out much of the autumn hardcourt season would have tested any player’s resolve. Yet Draper’s focus has remained unwavering, and his decision to compete in December shows just how eager he is to get back to the top of the game.
For British tennis, Draper’s return is a shot in the arm—pun intended. With the sport’s next generation looking to make their mark, his presence at the UTS Grand Final will be a major draw for fans and a welcome boost for the local tennis scene. The Copper Box Arena, already buzzing with anticipation, is set to host some of the most innovative and high-octane tennis of the year.
As Draper prepares to step back onto the court, all eyes will be on how his arm holds up and whether he can recapture the form that saw him rise to world No. 7. The UTS Grand Final’s unique format could play to his strengths, allowing him to leverage his athleticism and tactical nous in a setting that rewards quick thinking and bold play. The competition will be fierce, but if Draper’s past performances are anything to go by, he’ll be right in the mix for the title.
The countdown to December is officially on, and with Draper’s comeback now confirmed, the UTS Grand Final promises to be a must-watch event for tennis fans everywhere. Whether he lifts the trophy or simply proves his fitness, Jack Draper’s return is set to be one of the year’s most captivating sporting stories.
