Jack Draper Withdraws from French Open, Clay Season

Jack Draper, Britain's former world number four, has withdrawn from the French Open and the rest of the clay-court season due to a knee tendon injury, the 24-year-old player announced on Instagram.

Draper retired during his first-round match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open earlier this month after aggravating the issue in his right knee. He subsequently skipped the Madrid and Italian Opens. "My knee is on the mend and I've started back hitting balls but unfortunately I have been advised not to play Roland Garros," Draper wrote. "As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five-set tennis on clay. Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I've been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!"

The setback follows an eight-month absence due to bone bruising in his serving arm, which sidelined Draper from late last season until February. Since returning, he has played nine matches across five events, including a Davis Cup win for Britain against Norway, early exits in Dubai and Miami, and a standout...