British number one Jack Draper says he’s ready to go at the US Open despite ongoing pain from a bruised humerus in his serving arm.
The 23-year-old left-hander has been fighting the issue for several months, a bruise to the bone that runs from shoulder to elbow. Draper will begin his bid in New York against Argentine qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez on Monday, aiming to translate his recent fighting spirit into another deep run at Flushing Meadows.
Draper, who reached the US Open semi-finals last year, has tried to downplay the problem as he prepares for the first-round clash. “It’s an injury which takes time to heal,” he said. “A bone can heal but it might be giving me some discomfort. I have been looking after this for a while so I’m looking forward to just getting back competing. I don’t feel like I’ll be holding back at all.”
The injury to the humerus, the bone that connects the shoulder to the elbow, has limited his serving at times, but Draper remains hopeful he can manage the issue and push for another memorable run in New York. His comments reflect a determined mindset as he faces a tough first-round task and seeks to build on last year’s breakthrough performances.
What this means for Draper: his ability to serve effectively will be a key factor in how far he can go, but his willingness to compete and his optimism about healing could help him navigate the tournament. Tennis fans will be watching to see if he can translate his fighting spirit from practice to match play and possibly go deeper again in a Grand Slam.
In brief: Draper insists he’s ready to compete in the US Open despite the lingering arm issue, focusing on not letting the injury dictate his approach as he starts against Gomez. A positive outlook, combined with careful management of the pain, could set the tone for a determined run in New York.