'Lots of dark moments' – Draper now ready for Davis Cup

Jack Draper says he has had to overcome "lots of dark moments" during his injury lay-off as he prepares to make his long-awaited return in Great Britain's Davis Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo.

The 24-year-old's 2025 season was derailed by an injury to his upper left arm which first flared up during the clay-court season in the spring. He has played just one singles match since his second round exit at Wimbledon.

Draper, the British number one, had previously been enjoying a breakout season, reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open and French Open, winning his maiden Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, and climbing to a career-high ranking of four in June.

Although he attempted a comeback at the US Open, partnering Jessica Pegula in the mixed doubles and winning his first round singles match, he later pulled out of the tournament due to injury.

He subsequently withdrew from the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in December and did not travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open.

"[It's] been a long time since I've been able to compete. I've stayed in a good place, although it's been tricky [with] a lot of dark moments and a lot of tough times, but that's the sport I signed up for," Draper told the LTA website.

"I'm happy to be back playing again. I miss the buzz of competing. I've missed the thrill of playing in front of people, against great players, and that winning feeling you can't replicate in training.

"It's going to feel great to get back out there again."

Draper, who has dropped down to number 13 in the rankings, hopes last year's positive start can serve as motivation as he attempts to return to the top.

"Last year started off amazingly well. The second half was extremely challenging," Draper said.

"I took a lot of belief and confidence from the first half of the year and what I achieved. I kept in mind that I want to be competing right at the top of the game.

"It's going to be a bit of a challenge and a journey to get back to where I was because I've been out for such a long time but at the same time, I'm constantly getting better and improving, and I hope I get to show that sooner rather than later."

Ten-time Davis Cup champions Great Britain have only lifted the trophy once since the 1930s - an Andy Murray-led triumph in 2015 - and fell to Japan at the first hurdle last year.

Great Britain beat Poland 3-1 in September to retain their place in the top tier.

They head to Oslo, where their first-round qualifier will be held from on February 6 and February 7, as the favourites to advance. The squad features two singles players ranked inside the top 30 in Draper and Cameron Norrie, British number three Jacob Fearnley, and a Grand Slam-winning doubles pairing in Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash.

Hosts Norway have confirmed they will be without world number 12 Casper Ruud, whose wife gave birth to their first child at the weekend, leaving teenager Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, ranked 133rd, as their highest-ranked singles player.

He will face Norrie in the second singles match with Draper taking on world number 329 Viktor Durasovic.

But despite the gulf in rankings, Draper says Great Britain have to be prepared to "fight for every point" against an "amazing" Norway team.

"They've got a young player in [Nicolai Budkov] Kjaer, who was number one in the world juniors and playing great tennis on the tour. He'll be tough to beat – a young guy who's got a lot to prove," Draper said.

"It's going to be a great challenge for us all but I think we're ready to embrace it and fight for every point."

The winner of this tie will face either Australia or Ecuador in a second round qualifier for a spot at November's Davis Cup Finals in Italy.