Jack Draper Cancels Carlos Alcaraz Training Due to Hip “Niggle”

“I’m trying to understand more about my body – Draper” Jack Draper has called off his scheduled training week with Carlos Alcaraz, citing a “little bit of a niggle” in his hip. The British number one had been slated to travel to Spain next week to train with the reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion, but is currently restricted to gym-based activities. Draper is a member of the Great Britain squad set to compete in the United Cup starting on 27 December, though his fitness to participate remains uncertain. The Australian Open is scheduled to commence in Melbourne on 12 January. “I’ve been working incredibly hard the last couple of weeks to get myself to hopefully improve for next year,” Draper stated. He elaborated, “I did have a little bit of a niggle in my hip area and in terms of going away to Spain and training at that level of intensity with Carlos I had to make that call because it’s not fair on him if I go and I am not 100%.” He added, “It was something that we were really excited about, and something me and (his coach) James (Trotman) had been talking about for a while. To try to go out and hit with the best players in the world and get that exposure to the highest level possible on a regular basis to get prepared for the New Year.” Draper clarified that this current injury differs from the hip problem he experienced in early 2023, noting its inopportune timing for the 22-year-old. He has climbed to world number 15 after securing ATP titles in Stuttgart and Vienna, demonstrating improved resilience to injuries throughout the current year. The US Open semi-finalist made these remarks while attending a Memory Walk in west London, organized to support the Alzheimer’s Society. Draper serves as an ambassador for the organization and has previously shared poignant accounts of how the disease has affected his grandmother. Prior to the event, he referred to his grandfather, who is his grandmother’s primary caregiver, as an “absolute hero to keep on doing what he’s doing”.