发布时间: 1/9/2026
Image caption: Jack Draper will join the five-man Great Britain squad for the Davis Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo
Jack Draper’s Long-Awaited Comeback After Devastating Injury
After sitting out competitive tennis for over five months due to a persistent arm injury, British number one Jack Draper is finally set to return to action in Great Britain’s upcoming Davis Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo this February. Fans were left disappointed when Draper, who was eyeing a spot at this month’s Australian Open, announced his withdrawal on Boxing Day, citing ongoing issues with his arm that had plagued him for weeks. Currently ranked 10th in the world, the left-hander has only stepped onto the singles court once since Wimbledon, making this Davis Cup tie a crucial milestone in his recovery journey.
Great Britain’s Strongest Possible Squad Assembled
Great Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith didn’t hold back in expressing his excitement about including Draper in the five-man squad, stating that this lineup allows him to field his "strongest team" for the qualifier taking place on 5 and 6 February. Joining Draper are fellow British tennis stars Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Lloyd Glasspool, and Julian Cash, creating a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent. On the other side of the net, Norway will lean heavily on world number 12 Casper Ruud, a three-time Grand Slam finalist who will undoubtedly pose a tough challenge for the British team.
What’s at Stake for the Winner?
The victor of this Oslo qualifier will move on to face either Australia or Ecuador in the second round of the Davis Cup qualifiers this September, with a spot in the main tournament on the line. For Draper, this tie isn’t just about helping his country advance—it’s about proving he’s fully recovered from one of the most "challenging" and "complex" injuries of his young career, as he shared in a late December post on X. He opened up about how difficult it was to make the call to skip the Australian Open, a decision that weighed heavily on him but was necessary to prioritize his long-term health.
Leon Smith’s Strategic Move with Draper’s Inclusion
Smith explained that having the flexibility to make up to three changes to the squad right up until the eve of the tie means there’s no risk in naming Draper now, even if his recovery hits a last-minute snag. Draper himself revealed in a 26 December video update that he’s in the "very, very end stages" of his rehabilitation, giving fans and the team plenty of hope that he’ll be ready to compete by early February. Since the Davis Cup qualifier uses best-of-three-set singles matches, rather than the five-set format seen at Grand Slams, it’s the perfect low-pressure environment for Draper to ease back into top-level competition without overstraining his still-healing arm.