Jack Draper broke down in tears during his first-round defeat at the Canadian Open, wiping his eyes as his comeback from injury faltered once again.
Trailing Frenchman Terence Atmane 4-1 in the deciding set, the British former world No 4 sat in his chair at the changeover and wept. The moment appeared to reflect the pain of an arm injury that has plagued him for more than a year.
Draper's level looked solid through the first two sets, and after taking the second set comfortably he seemed well placed to win the match. But his serve began to break down badly, and by the end he could do little more than roll it over the net, resorting to an increasing number of dropshots in apparent desperation.
Atmane, also out of form, won 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Draper has struggled for over 12 months with bone bruising in the humerus of his left arm. He withdrew from Wimbledon the day before his match and later pulled out of Washington, citing a twinge in the same arm.
Draper on the injury
Speaking earlier this week, Draper said it was important for people to recognise that his injury is very complex and very complicated, and that everyone around him is doing everything they can to help keep things moving along. He added that it was not as simple as resting, healing up and coming back fine.
