Jack Draper's French Open withdrawal isn't just a disappointment for fans—it's a major blow to his ATP ranking. The British star, who recently climbed inside the top 50 at No. 48, is now facing a steep drop after being forced out of Roland Garros with a recurring knee problem.
Draper's clay-court struggles have been mounting. He's played only nine matches since his last full stretch, and his most recent outing ended prematurely when he retired due to that same knee issue. Now, his absence from the French Open could cost him dearly in the rankings.
Last year, Draper was a force on clay. He reached the final in Madrid, made the quarterfinals in Rome, and pushed through to the fourth round at Roland Garros. That impressive run earned him valuable ranking points—points he's now set to lose. He was already facing an 850-point deduction after pulling out of Madrid and Rome. With his decision to skip the French Open, the total hit is expected to reach around 1,200 points.
That leaves Draper with just 560 points, which would drop him to world No. 114. It's a position he hasn't seen since August 2023, following another extended absence due to a shoulder problem. The fall is especially stark for a player who reached his career-high ranking of world No. 4 less than a year ago.
The ripple effects could be significant. While Draper should still qualify for Wimbledon without issue—he'll remain inside the top 100 when the entry deadline arrives—the US Open is a different story. If his ranking doesn't recover soon, he may not have enough points to qualify directly for Flushing Meadows. He's made deep runs there before, which could help secure a wildcard, but competition for those spots will be fierce, including from former champion Stan Wawrinka and a host of American hopefuls.
Draper is reportedly targeting a comeback during the grass-court season. For a player who thrives on fast surfaces, that's encouraging news. But he'll need a strong return to avoid further ranking damage and keep his Grand Slam hopes alive. For now, it's a waiting game—and a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change on the ATP Tour.
