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Jack Draper withdrew from the Mubadala DC Open because of his continuing left-arm problem, creating another setback in his preparations for the US Open. Washington was expected to begin his North American hard-court campaign and provide an important test of his fitness after another disrupted season.

However, Draper has since received a main-draw wildcard for the Canadian Open in Montreal. The opportunity gives him another chance to test his arm in competitive conditions before the final Grand Slam of the year. He has also registered for the Brownsburg Challenger in Indiana, scheduled for 10–16 August, giving him another possible route to valuable match practice.

The central question is whether Draper can remain healthy, rebuild meaningful match rhythm and find a route into the US Open main draw. His situation continues to attract attention because he reached the semifinals in New York in 2024.

Another Setback Interrupts Draper’s Comeback

Draper was due to return in Washington after receiving a wildcard for the ATP 500 event. He instead withdrew before playing because of the problem affecting his left arm.

The setback was particularly concerning because he had not competed since reaching the Eastbourne semifinals in June. He withdrew from Wimbledon shortly afterwards when the arm issue resurfaced.

Training can help Draper rebuild his conditioning and confidence, but competitive matches provide a more demanding test. Serving repeatedly under pressure, completing consecutive matches and recovering between rounds will reveal more about his readiness than practice sessions alone.

Montreal now provides the next possible stage of that comeback. Although receiving a wildcard removes the immediate challenge of qualifying for the tournament, Draper must still be healthy enough to take his place in the draw.

If he cannot build sufficient match play in Montreal, the Brownsburg Challenger may offer another opportunity before the US Open. His registration does not guarantee participation, but it gives his team additional flexibility during a difficult recovery period.

How a Difficult 12 Months Changed His Position

Draper’s schedule has been repeatedly disrupted since the middle of 2025. Bone stress and bruising in his left humerus affected his preparation for the 2025 US Open. He managed to win his opening match in New York but withdrew before the second round when the discomfort became too severe.

The same injury subsequently brought his 2025 season to an early end and kept him out of the Australian swing at the beginning of 2026.

Draper returned to competition in February and produced encouraging results, including a run to the Indian Wells quarterfinals. A separate knee injury then interrupted his season, forcing him to retire in Barcelona and miss several clay-court tournaments, including the French Open.

He returned again at Eastbourne in June and reached the semifinals, winning three matches before losing to Ugo Humbert. The run suggested that he was beginning to rediscover his level, but the renewed arm problem forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon and then Washington.

This prolonged inactivity has also affected his ATP ranking. Having reached a career-high world No. 4 in 2025, Draper is now listed at No. 147 on the initial US Open entry list.

Wildcard, Alternate, Qualifying or Challenger Preparation

Draper’s ranking decline has changed how he may have to approach the final Grand Slam of the season. A US Open wildcard, promotion from the alternate list and qualifying are possible entry routes. Montreal and Brownsburg, meanwhile, could provide the match practice needed to prepare for whichever route becomes available.

Direct main-draw entry

The US Open men’s singles draw normally contains 104 direct acceptances, although the precise ranking cutoff can vary because of protected rankings, withdrawals and other entry provisions.

On the initial 2026 entry list, direct acceptances extended to players ranked around the top 100. Draper was not included as a direct acceptance and instead appeared on the main-draw alternate list at world No. 147.

Receiving a wildcard

The United States Tennis Association can award main-draw wildcards to players who do not qualify through the ranking cutoff. Draper’s previous US Open semifinal and former top-five ranking could support his case, but a wildcard should not be treated as guaranteed until organisers make an official announcement.

His Montreal wildcard shows that major tournaments remain willing to offer him opportunities because of his ability and previous results. However, the US Open controls its own wildcard decisions.

Moving into the draw as an alternate

Draper is listed among the US Open main-draw alternates. Players on this list can move into the tournament when direct entrants withdraw before qualifying begins.

However, Draper is some distance down the alternate list and would require numerous withdrawals to gain direct entry through this route. His position may improve as the tournament approaches, but it is not currently a dependable pathway.

Entering qualifying

If Draper does not receive a wildcard or move into the draw as an alternate, qualifying is another possible route. He would need to win three matches to secure a main-draw place.

Qualifying could provide valuable match practice, but it would also create a demanding workload before the main tournament begins. For a player managing a recurring arm problem, completing three qualifying rounds and then entering a best-of-five-set event would present a significant physical test.

A lucky-loser place is different from alternate entry. It is available only to an eligible player who competes in qualifying, loses there and is subsequently selected to replace a late main-draw withdrawal.

Building match practice at Brownsburg

Draper has also registered for the ATP Challenger 75 event in Brownsburg, Indiana, scheduled for 10–16 August. This is not a direct route into the US Open draw, but it could become an important part of his preparation.

The lower-level tournament may offer an opportunity to play several competitive matches without immediately facing the depth of an ATP Masters 1000 field. That could help Draper test his serve, arm tolerance and recovery between rounds while also beginning to rebuild ranking points.

Brownsburg takes place around the later stages of Montreal and the beginning of the Cincinnati Open, so his eventual schedule will depend on his health and results. A deep Montreal run could make Brownsburg impractical, while an early exit or decision to skip Montreal could make the Challenger event more valuable.

His registration should therefore be viewed as an additional option rather than a confirmed replacement for Montreal or US Open qualifying.

Montreal Offers the First Major Fitness Test

Draper’s main-draw wildcard for the Canadian Open gives him an important opportunity to begin his North American hard-court campaign. If he is able to compete, the ATP Masters 1000 tournament will provide a high-level assessment of his physical condition.

The most important measure may not be how far he progresses. Draper needs to show that he can serve at full intensity, manage longer matches and recover without the arm problem worsening.

Even one completed match would provide useful information, but consecutive matches would offer a clearer indication of whether he can handle a Grand Slam schedule. Any further withdrawal would leave him with limited preparation time before Brownsburg, US Open qualifying and the main draw.

How Brownsburg Could Support His Comeback

The Brownsburg Challenger could provide a different type of test from Montreal. Rather than measuring Draper immediately against leading ATP players, it may allow him to focus on completing matches and rebuilding competitive habits.

He would still need to demonstrate that his arm can tolerate repeated serving and that his body can recover between rounds. However, the event may provide a more manageable environment in which to regain confidence and accumulate court time.

It could also support his longer-term ranking recovery. Draper’s current position limits his access to major ATP events, so Challenger tournaments may become necessary if wildcards are not consistently available.

A successful week in Brownsburg would not guarantee US Open readiness, but it could strengthen the case that he is physically capable of entering qualifying or accepting a main-draw wildcard. Another withdrawal would increase doubts about whether he can manage the demands of New York.

How Draper’s Uncertainty Affects the Wider US Open Picture

A fully fit Draper would be a dangerous opponent in New York. His powerful left-handed serve, aggressive groundstrokes and ability to take control of points suit hard courts. His previous success at the tournament also means higher-ranked players would prefer to avoid him in the early rounds.

His current condition, however, makes his prospects difficult to assess. He has played relatively few matches in 2026, remains outside the direct-entry positions and has not yet shown that his arm can withstand a sustained run of competition.

For readers comparing the odds for the US Open tournament, Draper remains difficult to evaluate while his fitness and route into the draw are unresolved. Any prices attached to him may change as his availability and recent match record become clearer. Those figures should be treated as changing market expectations rather than reliable predictions of how far he will progress.

Why His 2024 US Open Semifinal Still Matters

Draper continues to attract attention largely because of his run to the 2024 US Open semifinals. That performance demonstrated that he could handle best-of-five-set tennis and produce a deep run on the hard courts in New York.

His left-handed serve can create difficult return angles, while his aggressive baseline game allows him to shorten points when he is playing confidently. These qualities could make him a challenging opponent even without extensive preparation.

However, previous success does not guarantee another strong result. Draper’s 2024 performance reflects his potential rather than his present readiness. The practical demands of completing repeated five-set matches are much greater than those of training or playing isolated tour matches.

His reputation may make him an attractive wildcard candidate, but his recent physical condition will matter more than his past achievements once he steps onto the court.

What Must Happen Before New York

Draper does not have to compete in a warm-up tournament to be eligible for the US Open, but completing matches before New York would provide a valuable indication of his readiness.

His immediate priority is determining whether his left arm can tolerate repeated serving under competitive pressure. He must also show that he can recover between matches without another recurrence of the problem.

Montreal offers the first major opportunity to answer those questions. Brownsburg provides an additional option if Draper needs more match practice, an alternative schedule or a lower-level environment in which to rebuild confidence.

His US Open prospects will depend on:

• Whether he remains healthy enough to compete in Montreal
• Whether he takes up his place in the Brownsburg Challenger
• How his arm responds to consecutive matches
• Whether he receives a US Open main-draw wildcard
• How far he moves up the alternate list
• Whether he is prepared to enter qualifying

Draper’s talent and previous US Open success mean he cannot be dismissed. However, his ranking, limited match practice and recurring injuries make his position uncertain.

A strong and physically comfortable performance in Montreal or Brownsburg could quickly improve the outlook. Another withdrawal or recurrence would make his path to New York considerably more difficult. Until Draper completes competitive matches without further problems, his US Open prospects will remain based more on potential than proven readiness.