Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Jack Draper Given Main-Draw Wild Card For Canadian Open

Tennis Canada’s discretionary invite revives Draper’s comeback push, prompting debate over his fitness and the fairness of wildcard use.

Overview

  • Tennis Canada announced Wednesday that it had awarded Jack Draper a main-draw wild card for the National Bank Open in Montreal.
  • Draper withdrew from the Washington Mubadala DC Open days earlier because of recurrent soreness from a left-arm bone bruise first diagnosed at the 2025 US Open.
  • The 24-year-old has played only about a dozen matches this season, has fallen to roughly world No. 147, and will likely need to qualify for the US Open unless granted a special main-draw wildcard.
  • The tournament’s decision drew negative reaction on social media and from commentators who warned that using a precious wild card for a medically uncertain player risks late withdrawals and disadvantages others.
  • Andy Murray is working with Draper during the comeback and Montreal offers a live test of his match fitness ahead of US Open qualifying with clear competitive and reputational stakes if he pulls out again.