Barcelona Open: Jack Draper Withdraws Due to Injury in Round 1

Jack Draper’s clay-court campaign ended abruptly at the Barcelona Open on Tuesday. He retired late in the deciding set of his Round 1 match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry because of a right-knee problem.

Match summary

Draper took the opening set 6-3. He struggled to move thereafter and lost the second set 6-3.

With tape applied below his right knee between sets, Draper was broken for a second time in the third. He trailed 4-1 before retiring from the match.

Medical issue and comeback context

The physio treated Draper during the break, applying tape under his right knee. This was only his fourth tournament since a left-arm injury sidelined him after last August’s US Open.

Etcheverry was playing the eighth match of his own recent return. Draper entered the match ranked one place higher than his Argentine opponent.

Reactions and what’s next

Etcheverry praised Draper’s fighting spirit and wished him a swift recovery. He will now face either Nuno Borges or Adrian Mannarino in the second round at Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.

Etcheverry arrives in Madrid for the ATP Masters 1000 event starting April 22. The Spanish swing continues as players prepare for the next clay tournaments.

At the Barcelona Open, Jack Draper withdrew in Round 1 due to injury. The exit raises questions about his fitness ahead of Madrid and the rest of the clay season.