Jack Draper admits fears that hip injury could last his WHOLE career - after British No 1 fell to defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open
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Jack Draper fears his troublesome hip may be something he will have to manage for the rest of his career. The British No1 came into the Australian Open carrying some pain from pre-season and somehow battled through three five-set matches in row. But after struggling through two sets of his fourth-round clash against Carlos Alcaraz, Draper retired from the match.
![[He was forced to retire from his fourth-round Australian Open match against Carlos Alcaraz]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/09/94258535-14301705-He_was_forced_to_retire_from_his_fourth_round_Australian_Open_ma-a-3_1737279516596.jpg)
‘I didn't pull up amazingly well,’ said a despondent Draper. ‘I was really, really sore after I played my last match. I’m managing this hip thing… I wasn't expecting to come this far in all honesty. With all the hours I have played, it’s been a bit too much on my body.
![[The injury was reported in December but Draper has dealt with it behind closed doors for years]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/09/94258429-14301705-image-m-17_1737278893145.jpg)
‘Today, from the first couple of games I felt everything getting worse. Not ideal to end this way.’. We first became aware of Draper’s hip issue in December when he withdrew from a planned training camp with Alcaraz in Alicante. He then pulled out of the season-opening United Cup. Having been understandably vague about the issue while in competition, Draper opened up on his struggles.
![[He revealed he manages the issue with 'a lot' of painkillers but it still hinders his performance]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/09/94258775-14301705-image-m-21_1737279184243.jpg)
‘Essentially I had tendinitis in my hip, which I had to get looked at with an MRI,’ he said. ‘I have had a history of problems in that area. It hasn't gone away. I'm still dealing with that. 23-year-old Jack Draper has admitted that his hip issues could last for the rest of his career.
