{"id":2068282,"date":"2026-07-29T22:00:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T19:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2068282"},"modified":"2026-07-29T22:00:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T19:00:38","slug":"jack-drapers-latest-wildcard-sparks-a-negative-reaction-as-us-open-debate-rumbles-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2068282","title":{"rendered":"Jack Draper&#8217;s latest wildcard sparks a negative reaction as US Open debate rumbles on"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">Jack Draper\u2019s latest wildcard sparks a negative reaction as US Open debate rumbles on<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/kevin-palmer\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Kevin Palmer                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"29 Jul 2026 11:00 PM\" data-ps-date=\"29 Jul 2026 11:00 PM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1785362438\"><br \/>\n                            29 Jul 2026 11:00 PM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img 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<a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"Jack Draper\u2019s latest wildcard sparks a negative reaction as US Open debate rumbles on\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jack-Draper-in-action-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Jack Draper in action\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Jack Draper in action                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\"><!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/jack-draper\">Jack Draper<\/a> sparked controversy when he received a wild card to this week\u2019s Washington Open before being forced to pull out on the eve of the event.<\/p>\n<p>The former British No 1, who has seen his ATP Ranking slip to No 147 after he reached a career-high of No 4 a little over year ago due to an ongoing arm injury, issued an emotional statement after he was forced to pull out of Washington after speaking positively about his form in pre-tournament interviews.<\/p>\n<p>The withdrawal left question marks over whether <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/jack-draper\">Draper<\/a> would play the rest of the North American hard court swing and whether he would be fit for next month\u2019s US Open, but he is aiming make a quick return to action after accepting a wildcard to next week\u2019s ATP 1000 event in Montreal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTennis Canada has announced that former World No. 4\u202fJack Draper (Great Britain), Alexis Galarneau (Laval, QC) and Liam Draxl (Newmarket, ON), winner of the 2026\u202fRoad to the NBO, were awarded the final wild cards into the main draw of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal,\u201d read a statement on the tournament\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<p>While Draper\u2019s eagerness to accept a wild card should be seen as positive news for his comeback hopes, the reaction on X to the post confirming the news was less than positive with some replies suggesting other players were more worthy.<\/p>\n<h2>More Tennis News<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/us-open\/us-open-drop-hint-jack-draper-wildcard\">The US Open drop major hint that Jack Draper could be awarded a wildcard<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/boris-becker-questions-jack-drapers-latest-withdrawal\">Boris Becker left confused by Jack Draper\u2019s latest withdrawal<\/a><\/p>\n<p>That sentiment seems a little harsh because if Draper can find his fitness and form, he would be a huge draw for the fans to cheer on in Canada.<\/p>\n<p>It would also suggest his latest withdrawal is not as serious as some have suggested, with Draper\u2019s comments as he confirmed his decision not to play in Washington laced with positive sentiments.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese last months have felt like nothing but adversity and setbacks,\u201d Draper wrote on Instagram shortly after his withdrawal was announced.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMost days I\u2019ve spent in doubt, yet hopeful that I can keep taking positive steps forward and finding ways to progress.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBeing patient with the process has been my biggest challenge, but I know I\u2019m getting closer to where I want to be.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Draper also received support from a former British No 1 for his tournaments continuing to give him wild cards, with Greg Rusedski convinced the 2025 Indian Wells Masters champion should also get entry to the US Open main draw.<\/p>\n<p>Draper\u2019s ranking does not gain him entry into Grand Slam events and he may have to enter qualifying unless new USTA chief Craig Tiley and his committee give him a prized wildcard for the US Open.<\/p>\n<p>Those wildcards are primarily reserved for youthful US players, but Rusedski believes Tiley will see the benefit of handing Draper a ticket to play at Flushing Meadows.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCraig is a smart man and you need to keep the top players happy,\u201d said Rusedski, in an extract of the <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@offcourtwithgreg\">latest episode of his podcast published exclusively on Tennis365.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf Jack is healthy with Andy Murray, that still creates a lot of buzz in America if you have that relationship in New York.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo if the form\u2019s there, yes, he should get a wildcard. If the form isn\u2019t there, then it\u2019s a no. But I\u2019m on the optimistic version that the form\u2019s gonna happen and we\u2019re gonna find out this week in Washington where he\u2019s at.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t forget, Jack was the guy everybody was talking about to mix it up with (Carlos) Alcaraz, (Jannik) Sinner and (Novak) Djokovic and he was on the cusp of being in there.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe won Indian Wells and reached the finals in Madrid. And then he\u2019s had a horrid year where he hasn\u2019t been able to play. So the USTA will look at it because what they gotta remember is if Jack\u2019s healthy, he\u2019s one of the biggest names in tennis.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s too big of a talent not to be out there. Let\u2019s see how many weeks he can go through and hopefully he runs all the way through US Open and we don\u2019t have to talk about injuries anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rusedski also backed Murray to add a new dimension to Draper\u2019s game, as he welcomed the extension of their player-coach partnership.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI heard the rumour was Andy\u2019s probably gonna do ten or twelve weeks with him, even though it was only supposed to be a trial until the end of Wimbledon,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAndy brings great experience. He\u2019s won majors, he\u2019s come back from injuries. He\u2019s our best British tennis player in the open era by far. So it\u2019s great to see Andy there with him trying to guide him through this difficult period.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJack looks very good in practice. It\u2019s a question of whether the pop is there on the serve? Is he going to be able to sustain his fitness?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo fingers crossed that he can start winning some matches. Health is your wealth and if he\u2019s healthy, the combination with Murray could work out really well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLong term, if Andy is not there for every event, they\u2019re probably gonna have to bring in a second coach. That\u2019s the reality of it, if Jack ends up being able to be healthy and play back-to-back weeks and play a normal schedule. So fingers crossed for Jack. We need him back. We need him back to his best.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ NEXT: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/kyle-edmund-exclusive-interview-injuries-withdrawals-emma-raducanu-jack-draper\">Emma Raducanu &amp; Jack Draper injuries spark Kyle Edmund to call for a \u2018compromise\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End --><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jack Draper\u2019s latest wildcard sparks a negative reaction as US Open debate rumbles on Kevin Palmer 29 Jul 2026 11:00 PM Jack Draper in action Jack Draper sparked controversy when he received a wild card to this week\u2019s Washington Open before being forced to pull out on the eve of the event. The former British [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-2068282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068282","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2068282"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068282\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2068282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2068282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2068282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}