British Star Draper Forced to Retire at Barcelona Open Due to Knee Injury

The 24-year-old was leading his first-round match before being sidelined by a right knee issue.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:23pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the physical struggle and emotional tension of a tennis match, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.A cubist interpretation of the physical toll and emotional intensity of Draper's retirement from the Barcelona Open due to a knee injury.Indian Wells Today

British tennis player Jack Draper was forced to retire from his first-round match at the Barcelona Open on Monday, April 13, 2026, due to a right knee injury. Draper, the eighth seed, had won the first set 6-3 before struggling with his movement in the second set, which he lost 6-3. The injury worsened in the third set, leading Draper to retire with the score at 6-4, 3-6, 1-4 in favor of Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

Why it matters

The knee injury is a new setback for Draper, who had been working to recover from a bruised bone in his left serving arm that kept him out of competition for six months. The retirement in Barcelona comes at a critical time, as Draper is scheduled to defend 650 ranking points at the upcoming Madrid Open, representing over a third of his total points. If he is unable to compete in Madrid, Draper risks falling outside the world's top 40 players.

The details

Draper received attention from a physio and had tape applied to an area below his right knee shortly before the start of the deciding set. Despite the medical intervention, Draper continued to struggle with his movement in the third set, and after his serve was broken twice, he retired with Etcheverry leading 4-1 in the set.

  • Draper's first-round match at the Barcelona Open took place on Monday, April 13, 2026.
  • Draper had returned to action in February 2026 after a six-month absence due to a bruised bone in his left serving arm.

The players

Jack Draper

A 24-year-old British tennis player who entered the Barcelona Open as the eighth seed. He had previously reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 before Wimbledon in 2025.

Tomas Martin Etcheverry

An Argentine tennis player who defeated Draper in the first-round match at the Barcelona Open.

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What they’re saying

“Jack taking some time to think about it during the changeover and deciding that he couldn't play anymore. I think it's the right call. The knee just went very early in the second set, and he's been pulling up, it's just been getting worse and worse.”

— Naomi Cavaday, Tennis TV Commentator

“Draper as a great fighter and a great competitor, expressing his hope that the Briton recovers quickly to return to the tour.”

— Tomas Martin Etcheverry

What’s next

Draper will need to focus on recovering from the knee injury and determining if he will be able to compete in the upcoming Madrid Open, where he is scheduled to defend 650 ranking points.

The takeaway

Draper's knee injury is the latest setback in his comeback from a previous arm injury, highlighting the challenges professional tennis players face in maintaining their fitness and form. The retirement in Barcelona could have significant implications for Draper's ATP ranking if he is unable to compete in the Madrid Open.