England star Jack Draper made his triumphant return after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Draper, playing for the first time since being eliminated from last year’s US Open, represented Great Britain against Norway in the Davis Cup qualifiers.
He beat Viktor Durasovic 6-2 6-2 in straight sets, outscoring his opponent and converting his second match point to put England ahead in the tie.
Britain’s number one has played just one match since Wimbledon last July, with a bruised bone in his left arm curtailing his 2025 season entirely and missing last month’s Australian Open.
The 24-year-old has suffered serious injuries before, including missing six months of the 2023 season due to a shoulder issue that required multiple surgeries, but the nature of this injury has proven much more difficult to deal with.
Getting back into action with a win would be a huge boost for him. Draper admitted the “complicated” nature of the arm injury had left him “in a hole”.
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Draper talks about returning to the Davis Cup court after a break from tennis due to injury.
Draper previously said Sky Sports: “I really missed the competition.
“It’s been a long time, but I’ve learned a lot. It was a very difficult injury for me, but it’s good to be back here.”
“You’re kind of in a hole and you have to get out of it somehow, especially with long-term injuries. It’s been very, very difficult not just for myself, but for my team and my family, not just one moment, but many moments.
“But that’s where you have to stay strong and keep going.”
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