British tennis star Jack Draper's challenging return from injury hit another setback at the Barcelona Open, as he was forced to retire from his first-round match against Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry due to a knee issue.

Playing his first match of the clay-court season, Draper started brightly, taking the first set 6-3. However, his movement became visibly hampered, leading to a 6-3 loss in the second set. The 24-year-old world number 28 received treatment from a physio, who taped an area below his right knee before the deciding set began.

Struggling to move freely, Draper was broken twice in the third set. At 4-1 down, the mounting physical difficulty proved too much, and he conceded the match. This continues a frustrating period for the talented left-hander, who has been managing his comeback from a separate arm injury that sidelined him for six months until February.

Etcheverry, who advanced to the second round, praised his opponent after the match. "I like how he plays. He's a great fighter," the Argentine said. "Hopefully he can recover as soon as he can to get back on tour because the tour likes him."

Draper's withdrawal marks his fourth tournament since his return, following a pre-tournament pullout from the Monte Carlo Masters. The focus now shifts to his recovery timeline as the European clay swing continues.