Jack Draper retires injured again in Barcelona but vows to 'work my way out of this'

The British player was making his first appearance of the clay-court season at the ATP 500 event after missing the Monte Carlo Masters.

Draper faced world No 29 Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the opening round on Monday and started strongly.

The former world No 4, now ranked 28th, twice recovered a break deficit to take the opening set 6-3.

However, he quickly fell 0-3 behind in the second set, during which he began to show signs of discomfort with a suspected knee issue.

Etcheverry went on to level the match by taking the second set 6-3 in convincing fashion, before breaking Draper twice to open up a 4-1 lead in the decider.

At the changeover while trailing 1-4 in the third set, a dejected Draper opted to retire and shook hands with his opponent.

It marked Draper's first match since his straight-sets defeat to Reilly Opelka in the opening round of the Miami Open on 20 March.

In an Instagram post after withdrawing in Spain, Draper reflected on another setback in his return from injury.

"Sad to retire in Barcelona. I've tried hard these last months to stay positive and give my all," wrote the 2025 Indian Wells champion.

"It will take time but I will work my way out of this. Thank you for all the support throughout this process!"

Draper only returned to competition in February after nearly six months out with a bone stress injury in his left arm.

He had shown promising form earlier in the comeback, reaching the quarter-finals in his Indian Wells title defence last month in just his second ATP Tour event back.

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