Draper adds to British misery with shock pullout

British pride at Wimbledon hit the floor on Monday as Jack Draper joined Emma Raducanu in making a last-gasp injury pullout from the home Grand Slam.

Embarrassment reigned as the oft-injured left-hander who once stood inside the top 10 pulled the plug before the start of his adventure on the grass.

Draper was drawn to face US threat Taylor Fritz in the first round on Tuesday, but withdrew as a chronic arm injury flared up at the worst possible time. He will be replaced by a lucky loser from qualifying.

British No. 1’s Draper and Raducanu both have minimal Wimbledon records, with Draper producing a pair of second-round showings and Raducanu reaching the fourth round twice.

“Devastated to share that I have had to withdraw from my first round match due to a recurrence of my arm injury,” Draper posted on social media.

“There have been a lot of painful moments in the last 12 months but this one is definitely the absolute worst as there is no greater honour for a British player than playing at Wimbledon.

“I will continue to persevere through this. Thank you for the support!!”

Raducanu withdrew on Sunday night just hours after telling media she would try to front up for her Monday match while dealing with a stress fracture in her right leg.

Main photo:- Jack Draper playing Wimbledon 2024 – by Roger Parker/ISF Ltd