Jack Draper Withdraws From 2025 Dubai Championships After Superb Run In Doha
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Jack Draper, who enjoyed one of the best weeks of his career at the 2025 Qatar Open, has decided not to compete at the 2025 Dubai Championships.
If Draper had decided to play in Dubai, he would have had to compete again just a few days after reaching the Qatar Open final. The Briton finished as the runner-up to Andrey Rublev in Doha.
Rather than pushing his body any further, Draper has decided to get some additional rest ahead of the 2025 Indian Wells Open and 2025 Miami Open after playing some long matches at the Qatar Open.
"Unfortunately, I have made the decision to withdraw from the Dubai Championships after a great week at the Qatar Open. I’m taking onboard advice to prioritize my recovery and manage my body after a number of long matches and give myself the best chance of competing consistently throughout the year."
"I’m gutted not to compete at such an amazing event as the Dubai Championships but will look forward to returning to competition at the Indian Wells and the Miami Open."
Journalist Reem Abulleil also reported that the ref's office at the Dubai Championships said Draper gave a right adductor injury as the reason for being unable to compete at the event.
Draper's decision is understandable and probably wise. Although the Dubai Championships is a great ATP 500 tournament that deserves respect, the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami next month are more significant.
The young star spoke at the end of last season about wanting to shake up Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in 2025. To do that, Draper needs to have deep runs at the Grand Slams and Masters 1000 tournaments.
Although Draper showed how high his level can by during a victory against Alcaraz at the 2024 Queen's Club Championships, his achievements are still not near Sinner and Alcaraz's, meaning much development is required.
However, the 23-year-old's superb level and battling qualities throughout the Qatar Open show his determination to improve. Draper's level is undoubtedly among the most improved on the ATP Tour in the last 12 months.
Despite Draper not being among the top favorites to win the Indian Wells Open, his cause has been helped by Sinner's suspension until May 4th after reaching a settlement in his doping case with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Sinner has established himself as the best hardcourt player in the world since the start of 2024. Therefore, the Italian deservedly enters each tournament on the surface as the favorite to secure the title.
However, the 2024 Indian Wells Open, which is where Sinner's positive tests for the banned substance clostebol occurred, was won by Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard also triumphed in California in 2023.
Alcaraz is the pre-tournament favorite in Sinner's absence, but Novak Djokovic should never be ruled out. The 24-time Grand Slam champion will have Andy Murray as his coach in Indian Wells after extending their partnership.
Beating those two and other players to the title will not be easy for Draper, but his chances should not be completely ruled out because of how dangerous his best tennis is.
