Jack Draper was overcome with emotion and appeared to cry on court during his first-round match at the Canadian Open on August 4, 2026. The British player was defeated by Frenchman Terence Atmane in a match that underscored the challenges Draper has faced in his return from injury.
Trailing 4-1 in the deciding set, Draper, a former world No. 4, sat in his chair during a changeover and wept. The incident occurred as he continues to battle a bone bruising injury in his left arm, which has sidelined him for over a year. While his level in the first two sets was competitive, Draper's serve faltered significantly in the final set, leading him to resort to drop shots in apparent desperation. Atmane ultimately won the match with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Draper had previously withdrawn from Wimbledon and the Washington tournament due to the persistent arm issue. He described the injury as complex and stated that it is not a simple matter of rest and recovery. The emotional display at the Canadian Open suggests the injury continues to take a significant toll on the 24-year-old.
