“He was playing unbelievable,” said Tomas Martin Etcheverry after his match against Jack Draper, who was forced to retire due to a right knee injury. Draper, who had returned from a six-month injury lay-off earlier this year, faced Etcheverry in the opening round of the Barcelona Open, held at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.
In a match that showcased both players’ skills, Draper initially took the first set 6-3. However, he lost the second set by the same scoreline, and while trailing 4-1 in the third set, he made the difficult decision to retire. This incident marks a significant setback for Draper, who had previously missed the Monte Carlo Masters to prioritize his recovery.
Prior to this match, Draper had shown promise by achieving a fourth-round victory over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells, indicating his potential to compete at high levels. However, the injury raises questions about his fitness and readiness for upcoming tournaments, particularly as he is defending 650 ranking points at the Madrid Open later this month.
“I liked how he plays. He’s a great fighter and hopefully he can recover as soon as he can to get back on tour because the tour likes him,” Etcheverry added, highlighting the respect Draper commands among his peers. The Barcelona Open, scheduled from April 13 to April 19, 2026, is in its 73rd edition and features prominent players, including Carlos Alcaraz, who is considered one of the leading competitors in the tournament.
Notably, Holger Rune, the defending champion, will not be participating in this year’s event, opening the field for other players to make their mark. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on how Draper’s injury impacts his ranking and future matches.
Looking ahead, Draper is next due to play at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid starting April 22. His performance there will be critical, especially as he aims to defend his ranking points and regain his form on the clay courts.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of Draper’s injury and his recovery timeline, but the tennis community is hopeful for his swift return to the court.
