Jack Draper retires injured from Japan Open quarter-final

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.

Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.

Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.

Louise Thomas

Editor

Jack Draper retired from his Japan Open quarter-final against Ugo Humbert after appearing to struggle with an abdominal injury.

The US Open semi-finalist trailed 7-5 2-1 to the Frenchman and was serving when he pulled up during a point.

Draper shook his head after his serve, in particular, appeared to be hampered by the injury, as he shook hands with Humbert mid-game.

The British No 1 received on-court at 5-4 down in the opening set and had his stomach muscles massaged during the medical timeout.

He served to stay in the set but was broken in the next service game as World No 19 Humbert, ranked a place above Draper, fired a forehand winner to win the set.

Draper managed a further three games before he took the decision to retire from the match, which was briefly halted due to rain following the warm-ups.

Draper was bidding to reach the semi-finals in Tokyo after securing an impressive win over second seed Hubert Hurkacz in the previous round.

The 22-year-old reached the last four of the US Open last month but struggled with his nerves in the semi-final against Jannik Sinner in New York.

Humbert will take on Tomas Machac for a place in the final, with Arthur Fils, Ben Shelton, Kei Nishikori and Holger Rune also in the draw.

Draper will hope to be fit for the ATP Masters tournament in Shanghai next week, in what is one of the biggest events of the indoor season.