Jack Draper says hip injury a ‘ticking time bomb’ and recovery is priority

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Jack Draper says hip injury a ‘ticking time bomb’ and recovery is priority​

Jack Draper called his hip injury at the Australian Open a “ticking time bomb” and insisted that he must prioritise his recovery to avoid a long-term injury after being forced to retire from his fourth-round match against Carlos Alcaraz.

After battling through three brilliant five-set wins to reach the second week for the first time in his career, Draper was forced to retire against Alcaraz on Sunday while trailing 7-5, 6-1. “I had tendinitis in my hip, which I had to get MRI looked at and stuff,” he said. “I have had a history of problems in that area. It hasn’t gone away. I’m still dealing with that. Obviously in the preseason, it [went] into my back and I couldn’t walk and it was really difficult. I have come here and I have been managing that.

“I have been unbelievably surprised with how much I have been able to play and put my body through, more than I have ever done before, especially. So I think it’s just one of those things, just massive overload. This area of my body, if I don’t get that right and I don’t make good decisions, I don’t want to miss three or four months because of that.”

Rest of The Guardian article here.

 

[Move]

Sounds worrying. Hip injuries and playing tennis is a bad combo. I hope he recovers quick and fully

 

[JMR]

Being forced to retire in what will likely be his most important match of the first half of 2025 (perhaps all of 2025) means that the "time bomb" isn't just ticking -- it has gone off. Draper says that he doesn't want to miss three or four months because of this injury, but he may have to do exactly that if he wants to recover fully. He seems to recognize that a halfway recovery followed by premature play will just perpetuate a cycle of injury, but knowing that and being able to act on the knowledge -- by resisting the temptation to get back on the court -- are two different things.

 

[jackson vile]

Jack, if you read this, Functional Patterns will fix you right up!

 

[Sudacafan]

One of the few disadvantages of the 2hbh when compared to 1hbh.

 

[ibbi]

Sounds like playing the tournament was a great idea then. And I'm sure the three five-setters will have helped immensely. What an idiot.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Very scary situation. He is on extremely potent painkillers and has been using them just to be able play this tournament at all. When you factor that type of aggressive pain medication alongside how much time he has spent on court this tournament I really hope he hasnt done hinself serious damage.

He’s an amazing player to watch at his best. A big man with fast feet and a huge lefty game with a live arm - there’s nothing quite like it. I hope he doesnt dull his athleticism early in his career.

 

[TheGoldenEra1990’s]

How does the dude have a bad hip already? He just turned 23. Jeesh

 

[Tennfan123]

Yawn come back to me when he’s won a significant title over a tough draw.

 

[beltsman]

uh oh

 

[helterskelter]

Yawn come back to me when he’s won a significant title over a tough draw.

Agreed. Anyone who gets out of bed for less than a slam title in a strong field (ideally, beating a six-year younger ATG en route) is an abject loser worthy of nothing but mockery.

 

[scotus]

The way Jannik Sinner walks around the court looks like he has a hip injury, too. His wheels might fall off soon.

 

[DSH]

Sounds worrying. Hip injuries and playing tennis is a bad combo. I hope he recovers quick and fully

He is becoming 'Finnish'.