British tennis star Jack Draper's return to competitive play was abruptly halted during his first-round match at the Barcelona Open, where a knee injury forced him to retire against Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Draper, making his debut on clay this season, started strongly with a 6-3 first-set victory. However, his movement became visibly hampered in the second set, which he lost 6-3. Medical staff attended to the 24-year-old before the deciding set, applying tape below his right knee.
Despite the intervention, Draper struggled to maintain his serve, suffering two breaks in the third set. At 4-1 down, he conceded the match, unable to continue due to the persistent knee issue.
This setback adds to Draper's recent injury concerns. The world number 28 had previously withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters as he continues a cautious comeback from a six-month absence caused by a bruised bone in his left serving arm. The Barcelona Open marked only his fourth tournament since returning to competition in February.
Etcheverry expressed sympathy for his opponent after the match, stating, "He's a great competitor and fighter. I hope he recovers quickly because the tour needs players like him."
Meanwhile, fellow Briton Cameron Norrie advanced to the second round with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4 victory over Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka. Norrie acknowledged letting a winning position slip in the second set but regained composure to secure the match in the decider.
Draper's latest injury raises questions about his ability to maintain consistency on the ATP Tour as he works to overcome persistent physical challenges that have interrupted his promising career.