ATP 500 tournament loses British star Jack Draper
British tennis star Jack Draper has become the latest high-profile withdrawal from this week’s Washington Open ATP 500 event. The American wildcard, who received a spot by the organization due to his performance at Wimbledon, will be replaced in the final field by lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald.
The withdrawal of Draper brings the total number of players out for the tournament to 12. With Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and Danileil Medvedev among those dropping early, it’s a significant shake-up in player availability heading into key events like the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open.
At least 8 withdrawals are due to injuries, meaning several top players can’t participate as planned.High-Profile Absences
The Washington Open has seen several high-profile names miss out including Felix Auger-Aliassime, Mattia Bellucci, Arthur Fery, Luca Van Assche, Adam Walton, Eliot Spizzirri, and Reilly Opelka. Most of the withdrawals are down to injuries, which will impact player rankings after back-to-back tournaments.
Key Matches and Defending Champion
The tournament kicked off on July 27 with Lorenzo Musetti and Alejandro Tabilo securing places in the second round. Alex de Minaur, who was the defending champion last year, will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in an early-round game. With the top-seeds out, Taylor Fritz looks set to secure home support as he defends his position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jack Draper not playing?
Clinically speaking, Draper suffered a reoccurrence of an arm injury that forced him to withdraw from the tournament. His previous absence at Wimbledon due to this same issue points to the severity of his condition.
Who replaces Jack Draper in the event?
Mackenzie McDonald enters as the lucky loser, securing a spot after Draper’s withdrawal. The American wildcard system allowed him entry despite not initially being ranked high enough.