Jack Draper has pulled out of next week's Monte Carlo Masters as he takes a careful approach to his recovery from a bruised bone in his left serving arm.
The 24-year-old British star won't be heading to the prestigious clay-court event, which kicks off on 5 April. Instead, he's opting to stay in London and continue working on his fitness and game.
It's a sensible decision from the former world number four, who spent six months away from tour-level tennis due to the injury.
Draper has been spotted training at the National Tennis Centre in recent days and plans to keep putting in the work this week.
Jack Draper has pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters, just weeks before the French Open
|GETTY
Since making his comeback, Draper has shown flashes of his best form across three tournaments in five weeks.
The 2024 US Open semi-finalist grabbed a win on his return in Dubai, then produced a brilliant run to the quarter-finals at Indian Wells. That included a standout victory over Novak Djokovic in the fourth round – his first career win against the 24-time major champion.
Things didn't quite click in Miami, though, where big-serving American Reilly Opelka knocked him out in the second round across two tiebreak sets.
"It's still the very start of my comeback from my injury, so it's going to take time," Draper told Sky Sports afterwards.
The good news? There's no reason to worry about this latest withdrawal.
It's being described as another precautionary move rather than any setback with the injury itself. Draper has been training on court this week and is feeling physically well.
Jack Draper reached the fourth round of the French Open last year
| REUTERSHis target is to return at the Barcelona Open, which runs from 13 to 19 April – giving him a fortnight to build up his fitness and sharpen his game before stepping back onto the match court.
"I've just got to keep on chipping away with my team, trying to do all the right things, practising well," he said after his Miami exit.
Draper isn't the only big name giving Monte Carlo a miss. Djokovic and world number eight Taylor Fritz have also withdrawn from the tournament.
It's a busy stretch ahead on the clay, with Masters events in Madrid and Rome following Monte Carlo before the French Open arrives in early June.
Draper has plenty of ranking points to defend during this period – he reached the Madrid final last year, made the Rome quarter-finals, and got to the fourth round at Roland Garros.
After the clay swing wraps up, the grass-court season begins, where Draper will be a star attraction at Queen's and Wimbledon.