But unfortunately it caught up with me today and I couldn’t really move to be honest. I was trying to play at my level but it was difficult. I could see Carlos was playing really well and I just couldn’t really do much. It was tough but it is what it is.
Draper, who reached the final of the boys’ singles at Wimbledon in 2018, said he had taken a lot of painkillers to get through the match.
He added: I have taken a lot of painkillers throughout the week. I think my coach was telling me it’s not good for me but I was like, I need it to play. Today, I was struggling to move and it was really tough.
Despite his disappointment, Draper leaves Melbourne with a lot of positives to take from his run to the last 16, including victories over seed Gael Monfils and former semi-finalist Pablo Carreno Busta.
He added: I’m unbelievably proud of how I have played this week. I didn’t really expect to come here and do this well. I’m going to take a lot of confidence from this and hopefully have a good, consistent year on tour.
Despite the disappointment of having to withdraw from the Australian Open, Jack Draper remains focused on managing his injury and making the right decisions for his long-term health. He acknowledges the importance of staying injury-free and being consistent in his body to maintain his tennis career. Draper’s determination to overcome his injury challenges is evident in his commitment to rehab and seeking the best possible solutions. With his competitive spirit and desire to succeed, Draper is optimistic about his future in tennis and is determined to overcome his current setbacks.