Draper loved the best 12 months of his profession in 2024 – profitable his first ATP titles, turning into British primary and reaching the US Open semi-finals – and was wanting ahead to additional bettering his bodily robustness earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season.
However his hip damage, which Draper says flared up after a “week of pre-season” in December, ended these plans.
“Basically I had tendinitis in my hip, which I needed to get an MRI to take a look at,” he mentioned.
“I’ve had a historical past of issues in that space and it hasn’t gone away. I am nonetheless coping with that.
“In pre-season, it went into my again and I could not stroll. It was actually tough.”
Draper mentioned he was unable to play for “about two to 3 weeks” earlier than flying to Australia between Christmas and New 12 months.
He started hitting once more at Melbourne Park earlier than taking part in follow units in opposition to Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner within the days main as much as his opening match.
“You need to really feel so sorry for him,” former British primary Annabel Croft mentioned on BBC Radio 5 Sports activities Additional.
“Every time he comes again there is a setback and also you lose that momentum and coaching time.
“Plenty of gamers put their 12 months into blocks, of competitors, relaxation and coaching, and he is being compromised on a regular basis as a result of his physique is letting him down.”